Trump's border czar: Immigration raids at farms, hotels to continue

Zoom in: While workers at places like farms, restaurants and hotels will be targeted, people with criminal backgrounds will be a priority for immigration enforcement officials, Homan said.

• "We're going to continue to do worksite enforcement operations, even on farms and hotels, but based on a prioritized basis. Criminals come first," Homan told reporters.

What he's saying: Asked what he would say to farmers concerned the raids will hurt their jobs and the U.S. economy, Homan said, "Well, first of all, there's a right way and wrong way to hire workers. There are legal programs that bring farm workers in."

• He continued, "Second of all, I've been saying for years, Congress needs to address this. But because Congress failed, it just doesn't mean we ignore it. It's illegal to knowingly hire an illegal alien."

Catch up quick: Trump surprised immigration hardliners last week when his administration announced it would pause some immigration raids following concerns from advisers and Cabinet members that they were hurting the agriculture and hospitality industries.

• He acknowledged in a Truth Social post that his "very aggressive" policies were ripping longtime workers from jobs that are "almost impossible to replace."
• But on Monday, the Department of Homeland Security indicated it was reversing course and that farms, hotels and restaurants would again be subject to raids.

Go deeper: Trump gets back behind raids in immigration whiplash