President Donald Trump seems to be reversing course on a major issue that could take down Republicans.
Americans sent Trump back to the White House with a clear mandate on what needed to be accomplished in his second term: end the illegal immigration crisis and create an economy that brings back the dying American dream. The two go hand in hand. Illegal immigration not only creates a massive national security risk in our country, but it also drives down wages and increases the cost of living for middle-and low-income Americans.
So when Trump announced during a bill-signing ceremony on June 12 that, after speaking with farmers and hospitality industry executives, there would be an executive order relating to the deportation of longtime illegal immigrant farm and hotel workers, it caused a major backlash from his MAGA base.
Trump claimed that his “very aggressive policy on immigration” is negatively affecting these industries, which some argued meant it was hurting family farms. However, as Meriwether Farms can attest, cracking down on illegal immigration actually helps smaller farms, because it’s not these family operations that flout immigration laws to access cheap labor. Corporate farming is the largest beneficiary of using illegal immigrant labor because it can pay these people less than it pays American workers.
Just wanted to reiterate—we only hire US citizens on our farm and in our meat packing plant.
All of our full-time employees have health care. We can do this by being vertically integrated and diversified.
Most small operations like ours rely on family members, hire locals or,…
— Meriwether Farms (@MeriwetherFarms) June 15, 2025
The side effect of illegal immigrant labor is twofold: Americans who would otherwise be paid a proper wage for their work get priced out in favor of the cheaper option. Additionally, housing and living costs for all Americans increase because more people are living in the U.S. to work these jobs who would otherwise be residing in their home country. (Sign up for Mary Rooke’s weekly newsletter here!)
Following the intense backlash from voters, Trump and his administration appeared to reverse course. Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan quickly claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would not only continue to raid these farms and hotels looking for illegal immigrants, but would be doubling down on their immigration enforcement efforts.
HOMAN: “We’re going to continue to do worksite enforcement operations, even on farms and hotels, but based on a prioritized basis. Criminals come first.” pic.twitter.com/KEff6TUQuR
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 19, 2025
Once again, it seemed that Americans could still voice their concerns and have the Trump administration listen. However, in a Sunday interview on Fox News, Trump wavered, saying that illegal immigrants working in hotels and farms could possibly be given a special dispensation to stay in the U.S. despite breaking immigration laws. (RELATED: Old Democrat Comes Back To Haunt Trump From The Grave)
Sunday Morning Futures’ host Maria Bartiromo said Trump is flouting a “temporary pass” for illegal immigrants.
“Big news on the border from my interview @realDonaldTrump is working on a ‘temporary pass’ for workers on farms and in hotels where they pay taxes but it’s up to the farmer for a temporary pass even if they came into the country ‘incorrectly,’” she said on X.
Trump told Bartiromo that he’s “the strongest immigration guy” and that under his new “temporary pass” scheme, illegal immigrants will pay taxes on their income and put farmers in control.
Watch Part 2 of @MariaBartiromo‘s interview with @POTUS where they discuss the OBBB, the border, the future of the Fed, the Biden autopen scandal, and ending the war in the Congo pic.twitter.com/Jz9zkmS3e8
— SundayMorningFutures (@SundayFutures) June 29, 2025
However, the comment section under Bartiromo’s post begged to differ.
“Why isn’t he charging the farmers for willfully breaking the law? And should agriculturalists who are currently obeying the law feel free to stop?” asked @AmyA1A.
“So a work visa? That already exists?” said @karlykingsley.
“This is a huge disappointment. I understand the hotels and farms are in trouble. But that does not mean we can pick and choose who goes and who stays now. A solution is to: Deport all illegals then Hotels and Farms start paying more for workers – they’ll show up if you stop paying slave wages,” said @EvaOust. “Thank you for your attention to this matter! We did not vote for anything less.”
“You mean a work visa? Sounds vaguely familiar…” former tennis star Martina Navratilova said.
“As a lifelong conservative, I am fully against this. There are work visa programs available for farm workers. Why should we give them a pass? Why won’t farmers invest in automation? There are a lot of automated pickers and harvesters. Farmers do NOT need illegal labor,” @fezzaririder said.
As a lifelong conservative, I am fully against this. There are work visa programs available for farm workers. Why should we give them a pass?
Why won’t farmers invest in automation? There are a lot of automated pickers and harvesters. Farmers do NOT need illegal labor.— Santiago (@fezzaririder) June 30, 2025
These are just a handful of disapproving comments about Trump’s new plan. Americans voted for mass deportations. It was part of the solution given to our decades-long quest to end the illegal immigration crisis. Additionally, there are two visa programs already available to hotels and the agriculture industry that allow immigrant labor. (ROOKE: GOP Given Perfect Opportunity To Gain Control Over Powerful Elites)
Immigrants can apply for H-2A and H-2B visas that will enable them to work temporarily in agricultural and non-agricultural labor in the U.S. There is absolutely no reason for Trump to allow these industries a special pass to pay illegal immigrants lower wages.
If Republicans want to maintain control of both chambers of Congress, they must achieve a high voter turnout. Traditionally, midterm outcomes are already unfavorable for the party in power, and they are made even worse because voter turnout is typically lower, as the presidential election is not on the ballot. If you take these two realities and add in the buckling on one of voters’ most important issues, Republicans are likely looking at a terrible midterm result.
Why would Americans vote for a party that is not listening to them? Republicans don’t have to worry about them switching teams to support Democrats, but the end result will be the same. Democrats are being given a leg up in this midterm battle because Republicans are toying with breaking their promise.
Follow Mary Rooke on X: @MaryRooke
