Trump considers a “temporary pass” for farm and hospitality workers as deportations ramp up, seeking balance for key industries.

White House Seeks Middle Ground on Worksite Enforcement

President Donald Trump signaled on Sunday that his administration is developing a policy to offer farmers and the hospitality sector a “temporary pass” from aggressive immigration enforcement, aiming to shield key industries from disruptions as federal deportation efforts intensify. The president’s comments, made during an interview on “Sunday Morning Futures,” highlight growing concerns that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations are removing long-term, reliable workers whose roles are difficult to fill.

“I cherish our farmers,” Trump stated, explaining that sudden removal of workers who have been part of the agricultural workforce for 15 or 20 years can devastate farms and local economies. “When we go into a farm and we take away people that have been working there for 15 and 20 years, who were good, who possibly came in incorrectly… we’re going to do something for farmers where we can let the farmer sort of be in charge.”

The president described a forthcoming system in which employers—especially farmers—would be granted some authority over which employees remain, provided they pay taxes and have no criminal background. “The farmer knows he’s not going to hire a murderer,” Trump said. “I’m the strongest immigration guy that there’s ever been, but I’m also the strongest farmer guy that there’s ever been.”

Industry Concerns Shape Enforcement Policy

The administration’s evolving approach reflects the feedback from business owners, particularly in agriculture and hospitality, who say current immigration raids are depleting their experienced workforces. On June 12, Trump posted on Truth Social 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.” He added that, in some cases, “criminals allowed into our Country by the VERY Stupid Biden Open Borders Policy are applying for those jobs.”

The president’s remarks come as his administration increases deportations targeting individuals with criminal records and those who entered the country illegally during the Biden administration. Border security officials report sharp declines in illegal crossings and “gotaway” figures since Trump returned to office, while workplace ICE operations remain a point of tension.

Border czar Tom Homan clarified that enforcement actions will continue at workplaces—including farms and hotels—but will be prioritized based on criminal history. “Criminals come first,” Homan said, suggesting that non-criminal workers may be eligible for relief through the proposed “temporary pass.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has started offering financial incentives for voluntary self-deportation, including $1,000 and free travel outside the United States for those without criminal records. The ongoing enforcement push has sparked protests and unrest in cities such as Los Angeles, with ICE operations facing both legal and public opposition.

Balancing Enforcement and Economic Stability

As details of the policy are developed, the administration faces the challenge of balancing its promise of strict border enforcement with the economic needs of major industries. Trump assured that the toughest measures will remain focused on removing criminals but emphasized a pragmatic approach to protect the backbone of the nation’s farming and hospitality sectors. “We’re working on it right now… Changes are coming!” he said, promising an immigration strategy that keeps both communities and businesses secure.