The Department of Homeland Security has reversed its recent guidance that limited immigration raids at farms, hotels, and restaurants, according to a source familiar with internal discussions. This shift marks another change in direction for the agency as it continues to enforce the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation policies.
On Monday morning, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials informed field office leaders nationwide that they must resume conducting raids at workplaces, including farms, hotels, and restaurants. This instruction comes after earlier guidance had temporarily eased enforcement in those industries, partly due to pressure from sectors that depend heavily on migrant labor.
ICE has faced intense pressure to meet deportation quotas set by the White House. Last month, Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, reportedly told ICE agents they needed to arrest at least 3,000 people daily, although the agency has been averaging about 2,000 arrests per day.
President Trump has repeatedly criticized cities led by Democrats, which remain primary targets for immigration enforcement efforts. Returning from the G7 summit, Trump commented on the renewed focus on workplaces like hotels and bars, emphasizing that the “biggest problem” lies in inner cities.
The administration’s strict immigration policies have had a noticeable impact on industries reliant on immigrant labor. Farmers and hotel operators have expressed concerns that enforcement efforts are removing longtime workers and making it difficult to fill essential positions. Trump acknowledged these challenges but stressed the importance of protecting farmers while continuing to remove undocumented immigrants with criminal records, hinting that further changes are forthcoming.
