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Despite an ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration, Donald Trump has shared upcoming plans to make some changes to the ongoing ICE raids. While addressing reporters during a White House press conference on Thursday, June 12, the President revealed hes looking to sign a new executive order. This one will prevent certain undocumented immigrants from being deported amid growing concerns about the current ICE raids that are reportedly leading to labor shortages. Industries particularly affected are farming and hospitality. Heres the lowdown
Trump has admitted that his administrations immigration crackdown is causing some serious issues. At a White House press conference, he openly shared how ICE raids are leaving farmers in a panic. Our farmers are being hurt badly, he said, pointing out that some undocumented workers have been working in their fields for over 20 years. Theyre not citizens, but theyve turned out to be great, he added, signaling an urgent policy shift.
Trumps primary concern is that if these long-time workers get deported, industries might have to hire criminals or murderers to take their place. He promised a new executive order is coming pretty soon to use common sense and protect workers in farming and hospitality. We cant take farmers and take all their people and send them back, he said.
Trumps comments come amid a string of raids taking place in Nebraska and California this week. According to the New York Post, agents have been storming farms and plants to arrest undocumented workers left and right. On Tuesday, May 10, footage from Ventura County showed ICE agents chasing down a male field worker in the middle of a field. While he tried to run away, two agents caught up with him and immediately placed him in handcuffs. Per the publication, he was one of dozens arrested that day.
Oxnard Mayor Luis McArthur is furious about these raids, calling them unjustified and harmful, per ABC7. He told reporters theyre not making streets safer by any means. In fact, he believed they were causing more chaos. Farmers are now losing workers theyve relied on for years, and the ripple effect is starting to kick in.
ICE didnt stop at California, though. Agents also traveled to Nebraska for even more raids. On the same day, they reportedly raided Glenn Valley Foods, a meat production plant in Omaha. According to The Hill, the owner, Gary Rohwer, was left speechless after ICE rounded up 70 of his undocumented employees, reportedly slashing his workforce to just 30 percent.
Rohwer has since pleaded with the government for a better system outside of e-Verify to properly vet workers, stating that he followed all the rules when hiring his staff.
Id like to see the United States government come up with a program that they can communicate to the companies as to how to hire legitimate help. Period, he said.
