Thread: Trump 'looking at' immigration relief for farm workers after resuming ICE raids

Trump 'looking at' immigration relief for farm workers after resuming ICE raids on them

"We can't put the farms out of business," Trump said June 20 in discussing his immigration enforcement efforts.

---

Story Summary

• Trump promised changes to protect migrants in the farming, hotel and leisure industries in a June 12 Truth Social post.

President Donald Trump again is saying he wants to shield farmers from the effects of his crackdown on illegal immigration, just days after his administration reinstated workplace raids on agricultural operations.

"We're looking at doing something where, in the case of good, reputable farmers, they can take responsibility for the people that they hire and let them have responsibility, because we can't put the farms out of business," Trump told reporters June 20 while traveling to his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. "And at the same time we don't want to hurt people that aren't criminals."

The Trump administration has been sending conflicting messages on the issue.




Under Trump, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been conducting widespread raids and arresting and detaining immigrants, many of whom do not have any criminal record.

Trump promised changes to protect migrants in the farming, hotel and leisure industries in a June 12 Truth Social post.

"Our farmers are being hurt badly," Trump said in remarks later that day.

Following those comments, Trump's administration directed immigration officials to largely pause raids on farms, hotels, restaurants and meatpacking plants. But the administration reversed course a few days later and resumed the raids.


President Donald Trump arrives in Morristown, New Jersey, on June 20, 2025. KEN CEDENO/REUTERS

Trump has made mass deportations a cornerstone of his second administration, but he has been under pressure from businesses affected by his aggressive enforcement efforts. Brooke Rollins, Trump's Agricultural secretary, has relayed the farming industry's concerns to Trump about losing workers because of the president's mass deportations.

“You have people that have worked on farms for 20 years," Trump said June 20. "It’s very hard to go in there and say 'you’re coming out.' But we’re going to let the farmers take responsibility, they’re great people, they’ll do it. They know the good and the bad.”

“I never want to hurt our farmers... they keep us happy and healthy and fat," Trump added.
About 42% of farm workers in the United States between 2020 and 2022 lacked legal status, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.


Contributing: Joey Garrison, Reuters

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...r/84291870007/

Related:


BREAKING: President Trump, five days after the reversal, is once again looking to halt the deportation of illegal farm workers.We stand with all of the hardworking, small family farms that do it the right way and do not exploit illegal labor.We understand you feel forgotten, when you should be the ones being praised and supported.We still stand by the Buy American, Hire American mantra that President Trump so boldly supported during his campaign and in his first term, and we still stand ready to support him in doing the right thing for the country and for our beloved farmers and ranchers.America and Americans are worth fighting for

https://www.alipac.us/f12/breaking-p...2/#post1777501

President Trump is wrong again. Illegal entry is law breaking. Employers and illegal aliens, no matter the industry should face immigration enforcement. You cannot have carve outs for certain lawbreakers. American citizens don’t get carve outs for certain crimes.

American farmers who hire Americans and legal residents must follow the law. Why should employers breaking the law and their illegal labor get a special
pass.

This flip flopping is a problem. Not following through on mass deportations and getting involved in potential wars is a total turnaround from promises made by President Trump.