Trump’s mixed messages on immigration raids create confusion for businesses
President Donald Trump’s latest messaging on immigration raids has caused confusion for certain businesses. Trump promised a temporary break for certain industries like farming and hospitality, which depend heavily on immigrant labor, often including undocumented workers.
On the other hand, he has also reaffirmed his tough stance by insisting that he will still arrest and deport anyone who is in the U.S. illegally, regardless of where they work.
ICE paused workplace raids following Trump’s comments
Last week, Trump said that his immigration policies were negatively affecting farms, hotels and restaurants. In response to his comments, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a directive, pausing most workplace raids in those industries.
Internal pushback sparks social media directive
However, some people inside the White House, who have pushed for more aggressive immigration policies, likely saw the pause in raids as undermining Trump’s broader promise to enforce immigration laws strictly, The New York Times reported.
And then, in reaction to that backlash, Trump publicly posted again on social media, this time urging ICE to ramp up enforcement. He told federal agents to intensify their efforts, especially in large cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York — often considered sanctuary cities and have large immigrant populations. However, he did not mention workplace raids in this post.
Reporters asked Trump about the back-and-forth during the flag pole raising at the White House on Wednesday, June 18.
“Now look, we have to take care of our farmers. We have to take care of people who run leisure, hotels,” Trump said. “But most importantly, we have to get the criminals out of our country.”
Letter from DHS secretary emphasizes enforcement
The New York Times obtained a letter, written over the weekend by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, which told ICE agents to step up enforcement operations.
“We promised the largest deportation operation in history and that is exactly what we will do,” she wrote in the letter, reported by the Times. “Your performance will be judged every day by how many arrests you, your teammates and your office are able to effectuate. Failure is not an option.”
She also stated workplace raids “remain a cornerstone of our efforts,” and must be “properly coordinated through leadership.”
Uncertainty ripples through business and immigrant communities
The back-and-forth messaging has confused business leaders and created uncertainty for immigrant families.
Rebecca Shi, the chief executive of the American Business Immigration Coalition, told the Times that businesses are struggling to make plans because of the inconsistent messaging but that she’s hopeful.
“What these last few days of this back and forth has shown,” she said, “is at least there is a willingness to have a debate about this.”
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
