Washington, D.C. – Despite a tough stance on illegal immigration, President Donald Trump says change is coming. During a White House press conference on Thursday, June 12, he announced plans to issue a new executive order aimed at limiting certain deportations—particularly in sectors struggling with worker shortages like agriculture and hospitality.
Trump: “Our Farmers Are Being Hurt Badly”
Trump acknowledged that ongoing ICE raids are putting pressure on industries that rely heavily on undocumented labor. “Our farmers are being hurt badly,” he said. “Some of these workers have been with them for over 20 years. They’re not citizens, but they’ve turned out to be great.”
The president warned that if long-standing workers are removed, farmers and businesses might be forced to hire “criminals” or “murderers” in desperation. Calling for “common sense,” Trump said his administration is drafting an executive order to protect vital undocumented labor from deportation.
“We can’t take farmers and take all their people and send them back,” he said.
ICE Raids Trigger Backlash in California and Nebraska
Trump’s announcement follows a week of aggressive ICE activity across the country. In Ventura County, California, video footage surfaced of ICE agents chasing and arresting field workers in broad daylight. According to the New York Post, dozens were detained in the latest wave of raids targeting agricultural labor.
Oxnard Mayor Luis McArthur condemned the actions, calling the raids “unjustified and harmful.” He warned they’re disrupting the local economy and causing fear, not increasing public safety. “These are not criminals—they’re trusted workers who have kept farms running for years,” he told ABC7.
Nebraska Meat Plant Raids Cut Workforce by 70%
ICE also hit Nebraska, where agents raided Glenn Valley Foods, a meat processing plant in Omaha. According to The Hill, 70 undocumented workers were detained—gutting the company’s workforce by more than two-thirds.
Owner Gary Rohwer expressed frustration with the system, saying he used e-Verify and followed all hiring protocols. “I’d like to see the U.S. government provide companies with a clear, reliable way to hire legitimate help,” he said.
Policy Change on the Horizon
With public outcry growing and industries struggling, Trump’s pivot could mark a rare softening in his immigration policy. Though no formal order has been signed yet, the president says action is coming “pretty soon.”
If implemented, the executive order could shield long-time undocumented workers in essential sectors, while preserving stability in food production and hospitality—two of the industries most at risk.