WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump issued a pause on immigration raids that had affected several industries, including agriculture and hospitality.
However, on Wednesday, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin announced a renewed focus on worksite enforcement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), creating uncertainty among businesses that rely on immigrant labor.
The announcement has prompted concerns from employers and labor groups about the potential impact on workforce stability.
Rebecca Shi, CEO of the American Business Immigration Coalition, said the announcement has led to renewed anxiety among workers in affected sectors.
During Trump’s presidential campaign, he pledged to deport millions of immigrants living in the U.S. without legal authorization.
In line with this policy, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller previously directed ICE to conduct 3,000 daily arrests, a marked increase from earlier in Trump’s second term.
Several incidents of worksite enforcement have been reported. In New Mexico, a dairy operation was left with 20 of its 55 workers following a raid, according to Beverly Idsinga of the Dairy Producers of New Mexico. In Los Angeles, chef Claudio Gonzalez reported worker absences due to concerns about potential ICE activity.
In Washington state, orchard manager Jon Folden said rumors of raids have contributed to labor shortages in cherry orchards, although he noted that the fear may not always be tied to actual enforcement actions.
In some cases, immigrant parents have stayed home from work out of concern for family safety during school hours.
Industry groups and immigration advocates have communicated their concerns to the Trump administration and members of Congress.
On the Truth Social platform, President Trump acknowledged the impact of immigration enforcement on sectors that depend on immigrant labor.
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, foreign-born workers represented under 19% of the total U.S. workforce but made up a larger share of workers in industries such as farming, food preparation, fishing, and hospitality.
Matt Teagarden, CEO of the Kansas Livestock Association, stated that enforcement actions could disrupt agricultural operations. Torsten Slok, chief economist at Apollo Global Management, said undocumented workers constitute a significant portion of the workforce in farming and hospitality.
A Pew Research Center survey reported that a majority of respondents believe undocumented immigrants perform jobs that many Americans avoid.
Patrick Murphy, chief investment officer at Coastal Construction, noted that sudden changes in immigration enforcement can increase costs and delay project timelines.
Douglas Holtz-Eakin, former director of the Congressional Budget Office, said that enforcement measures impacting lawful immigrants could conflict with broader economic policy goals.
The Department of Homeland Security has not announced a timeline or specific guidance on future enforcement actions. Businesses and advocacy groups continue to monitor developments and seek clarity on immigration policy moving forward.
