Trump administration halts immigration raids on farms and hotels after industry backlash

Trump administration halts immigration raids on farms and hotels after industry backlash

The Trump administration in the US has issued new instructions to halt immigration raids at work sites in agriculture, aquaculture, meatpacking, restaurants, and hotels. The move, quietly relayed through an internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) email and confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), marks a notable shift in strategy for a presidency that has long prioritized mass deportations, the New York Times reported.

The guidance, issued by Tatum King, a senior official at ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations unit, directed field agents to immediately suspend enforcement operations at these workplaces unless they involve crimes such as human trafficking or drug smuggling. The order also clarified that agents should not arrest “noncriminal collaterals” — undocumented individuals with no criminal record — who may be present at these sites.

Industry pushback triggers policy change

This reversal comes amid increasing outcry from sectors heavily reliant on immigrant labour. Farmers, in particular, have warned of worsening labour shortages due to ICE raids that have removed experienced, hard-to-replace workers from fields and processing plants. In the hospitality industry, hoteliers and restaurant owners have voiced similar concerns, fearing disruptions in service and rising costs.

President Trump acknowledged those worries publicly, posting on social media that “very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away,” and that these jobs are “almost impossible to replace.” According to White House sources, his remarks followed a briefing from Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who conveyed mounting frustration from rural communities.

Shift seen as political recalibration

The administration’s move appears aimed at protecting support among key political constituencies, particularly in rural areas and swing states where agriculture and hospitality are major employers. Trump, who owns multiple luxury hotels himself, has long depended on immigrant labour for operations and may be personally attuned to the risks of worker shortages.

While the administration has claimed that its focus remains on deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal records, recent months have seen a dramatic increase in arrests of otherwise law-abiding individuals. Under the influence of senior adviser Stephen Miller, ICE had reportedly been under pressure to ramp up daily arrests, which had climbed to over 2,000 per day nationwide.

Mixed signals and confusion among agents

Despite the clear language in the internal memo, ICE agents remain uncertain about how broadly the new directive will be enforced. One DHS official told reporters that agents were “still digesting the long-term implications” and noted the absence of a firm public directive from the White House. Some interpreted the move as a temporary pause rather than a permanent policy change.

The guidance does not apply to all industries. Raids are still authorized in other sectors, such as garment manufacturing, where recent enforcement actions in Los Angeles led to protests and widespread criticism.

Impact on immigration strategy remains unclear

Though the administration frames the move as a targeted refinement of its enforcement efforts, critics see it as a tactical retreat in the face of political and economic pressure. Whether this signals a broader rethinking of immigration policy or merely a short-term concession remains to be seen.