The Trump administration has reversed course and will continue conducting immigration enforcement raids at farms, hotels, and restaurants—despite previously signaling a temporary reprieve for these industries due to labor shortages.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the renewed directive over the weekend, following internal debate within the administration. On June 12, President Trump had publicly acknowledged the agricultural sector’s concerns over worker shortages and suggested that enforcement would be eased for sectors like farming, hospitality, and food service. Industry groups had welcomed the announcement, hoping for a formal exemption to help stabilize labor supply.
However, that shift was short-lived. According to reports from The Washington Post, senior advisor Stephen Miller opposed any industry-specific carveouts and successfully pushed for a full reinstatement of worksite enforcement efforts. ICE leadership informed agents on June 16 that all immigration operations targeting unauthorized workers at farms, aquaculture and meat processing plants, restaurants, and hotels would resume.
“Worksite enforcement remains a cornerstone of our efforts to safeguard public safety, national security, and economic stability,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement. “There will be no safe spaces for industries that harbor illegal workers or obstruct enforcement operations.”
This development creates renewed uncertainty for employers across food and hospitality sectors, which rely heavily on undocumented labor. Between 2020 and 2022, nearly 42% of the U.S. agricultural workforce lacked legal status, according to DHS data.
The reversal has also drawn political fire. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the administration’s inconsistency, calling the policy whiplash “pathetic” and accusing Trump of being overridden by hardliners within his staff.
The crackdown comes amid Trump’s renewed calls for aggressive immigration enforcement as part of his 2024 campaign platform. In recent posts on Truth Social, the former president urged ICE to ramp up deportation efforts in major Democratic-led cities, aiming to implement what he calls “the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History.” According to a budget plan released last week, the administration’s goal is to deport 1 million immigrants annually.
ICE has arrested more than 100,000 individuals for immigration violations since January, averaging about 750 arrests per day—well short of internal targets. Sources say that ICE leadership has been instructed to triple that pace and prioritize anyone without legal status.
As policy direction shifts rapidly, affected employers are advised to remain alert to enforcement developments and ensure compliance with all federal employment and verification requirements.