Trump tweaks on ICE raids leave farmers in limbo
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A worker picks Gala apples at the Rasch Family Orchards farm in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Photo: Courtesy of Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Businesses that rely on immigrant workers face continued uncertainty as President Trump flip-flopped again Friday by suggesting farmers should be able to use undocumented labor as long as they "take responsibility" for the employees.
Why it matters: Illinois and other Midwest economies rely heavily on farm workers, about 40% of whom are not authorized to be in the U.S., according to government statistics.
The latest: "We're looking at doing something where in the case of good, reputable farmers, they can take responsibility for the people that they hire … because we can't put the farms out of business," Trump said on Fox News Friday.
The intrigue: This is the third time Trump has changed his stance on farm raids, but it's unclear if or how the Department of Homeland Security will implement the president's suggestion.
- DHS officials declined to answer specific questions but offered a statement from assistant DHS secretary Tricia McLaughlin: "The president has been incredibly clear. There will be no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals or purposely try to undermine ICE's efforts."
- "Worksite enforcement remains a cornerstone of our efforts to safeguard public safety, national security and economic stability. These operations target illegal employment networks that undermine American workers, destabilize labor markets and expose critical infrastructure to exploitation."
What they're saying: "We appreciate that President Trump is listening to farmers and recognizes the critical role immigrant workers play in feeding our nation," Rebecca Shi, CEO of the Chicago-based American Business Immigration Coalition, said in a statement.
Even House Freedom Caucus chair Rep. Andy Harris (R-Maryland) is asking for food worker exemptions. "The workforce issues are significant," he said on an ABIC press call last week. "With an unemployment rate of 4%, you're not going to find American workers for a lot of these tasks."
The other side: Axios reached out to all three Illinois Republican U.S. Representatives — Mary Miller, Darin LaHood and Mike Bost — for a comment on Trump's latest idea. None responded.
- But at a recent House hearing with governors, including JB Pritzker, Miller said, "Illegal aliens in our state have overwhelmed local communities, causing untold pain and suffering, while costing Illinois taxpayers billions."
Zoom in: Anecdotal reports suggest worksite immigration raids are hurting the food industry by scaring employees from coming to work.
- Last week, the owners of Jefferson Park's Gale Street announced they were shutting down in part because "hiring and retaining quality staff has proven too tough for too long."
What's next: Illinois Farm Bureau president Brian Duncan says he "supports minimizing disruption on farms in the short term, but agriculture frankly needs a durable, long-term solution for future success."
- "IFB urges Congress, with the president's support, to do its job by updating our outdated workforce system for our farmers and partners in the food chain."