Trump Pauses ICE Raids at Farms, Hotels and Restaurants

Directive follows backlash from industries and nationwide protests.

Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash

The Trump administration has ordered immigration officers to pause workplace raids at farms, restaurants, and hotels, marking a significant shift in its deportation strategy.

The directive, confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security, instructs ICE agents to limit enforcement in these sectors unless linked to criminal investigations. (WSJ)

President Trump announced the change on Truth Social, citing complaints from business leaders that aggressive immigration raids were removing long-time workers from jobs that are “almost impossible to replace.” “We must protect our Farmers,” he wrote, while vowing to continue targeting “CRIMINALS” for deportation. (WSJ)

Protests and Industry Pressure Drove the Shift

The new guidance comes after a series of high-profile ICE raids in Los Angeles led to street protests and national backlash.

Industry groups, especially in agriculture and hospitality, warned the White House that labor shortages were worsening due to immigration enforcement. DHS officials emphasized that the focus will remain on individuals with serious criminal records, not ordinary workers in key economic sectors. (The Guardian)

The move is already reshaping political alliances, economic trends, and immigration priorities—raising new questions about what comes next.

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Trump’s Deportation Pivot: Politics, Practicality, or Economics?

🔐 Become a Pro Subscriber to unlock today’s Pro Brief, where we examine how this ICE pause fits into Trump’s broader mass deportation push, the backlash from immigration hardliners like Tom Cotton, rising pressure on sanctuary cities, and growing signs that consumer behavior - and the economy - are shifting in response.