President Donald Trump has directed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to continue immigration enforcement operations at farms, hotels, and other workplaces after initially signaling a pause in such raids.
The decision follows conflicting internal guidance issued last week that temporarily halted worksite enforcement actions targeting key industries reliant on immigrant labor.
On Thursday, Trump posted on social media that he was considering a short-term exemption for the agriculture and hospitality sectors in response to concerns raised by industry leaders.
Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?
“Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace,” Trump wrote.
“In many cases the Criminals allowed into our Country by the VERY Stupid Biden Open Borders Policy are applying for those jobs,” he continued.
“This is not good. We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming!”
Trump Statement: 👀
Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace.
In many cases the… pic.twitter.com/CQUTApx1mW
— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) June 12, 2025
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
Shortly after the president’s post, The New York Times reported that a senior ICE official had instructed agents to pause worksite enforcement activities at agricultural businesses, restaurants, and hotels.
According to the outlet, ICE agents were told to avoid arresting individuals solely for being in the country illegally unless additional criminal activity had been committed.
However, after significant pushback from conservative supporters of the administration, President Trump reversed course over the weekend.
On Monday, The Washington Post reported that the White House had directed ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume enforcement operations as normal.
Two individuals familiar with the matter told The Post that during a conference call with leadership from 30 ICE field offices, agency heads were informed that worksite enforcement would proceed at agricultural facilities, hotels, and restaurants.
ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division also participated in the call.
An earlier email from a DHS official had instructed agents to “hold on all worksite enforcement investigations/operations on agriculture (including aquaculture and meat packing plants), restaurants and operating hotels,” but that directive has since been rescinded.
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump orders ICE to “PAUSE” illegal alien raids on farms, hotels, & restaurants.
OFFICIAL EMAIL: “Effective today, please hold on all work site enforcement investigations/operations on agriculture (including aquaculture & meat packing plants), restaurants… pic.twitter.com/sxOu4SYOhG
— Publius (@OcrazioCornPop) June 15, 2025
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed that enforcement operations are continuing.
“There will be no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals or purposely try to undermine ICE’s efforts,” McLaughlin said.
“Worksite enforcement remains a cornerstone of our efforts to safeguard public safety, national security and economic stability.”
“There’s no safe harbor, whether it be a church or a courthouse or a worksite. We will come for you. We will arrest you. You will be deported.”
— DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin to criminal illegal migrants@TriciaOhio @EmmaRechenberg @Glasgow_Jon pic.twitter.com/RiTtvbWTzv
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) June 17, 2025
The internal debate over the carveouts reflected differing views within the administration.
MORE NEWS: Trump’s Treasury Deals Devastating Blow to Venezuelan Illegal Alien Terrorist Gang [WATCH]
According to The Washington Post, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller opposed any industry-specific exemptions and advocated for continuing broad enforcement across all sectors.
Miller’s position was in contrast to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who recommended limited exemptions to avoid disruptions in farming and food production.
The administration’s immigration enforcement strategy has focused on targeting both employers who knowingly hire illegal workers and individuals residing in the country unlawfully.
ICE has recently expanded workplace operations as part of broader efforts to reduce the presence of undocumented individuals in the labor market.
The revised guidance from the White House signals that ICE agents will continue to operate under the original directive: to enforce immigration laws at all qualifying workplaces without exception.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.
DEPORT THEM ALL. Every last one of them.The babies and grandma’s too. FORCE SCOTUS to take up “birth right” citizenship, which was only for freed slaves not Mexicans. I’m black and speak Spanish , Mexicans are MORE RACIST than Democrats in the 1950’s.
They should do what australia does. A backpackers visa allows people to holiday in Australia and work in low end hospitality and farm work. This partly fixes the problem. Safe and legal low income or no income on farm worker accommodation is the other key. Also make sure the visa paper work goes to third world allies not just the first world. We had that glitch, it was not going to the pacific islands and New guinea.
it is not just Mexicans but people that come here illegals and stupid Americans citizens that help them