DHS reverses course on exempting farms, hotels from immigration raids: report

The Department of Homeland Security is reversing course on exempting farms and hotels from immigration raids, according to a report.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials told agency leaders in a call Monday that officers must continue conducting immigration raids at agricultural businesses, hotels, and restaurants, according to unnamed sources, The Washington Post reported. The call took place at 11 a.m. on Monday with representatives from 30 field offices across the country.

ICE and Homeland Security Investigations field office supervisors learned on Sunday about a likely reversal of the exemption policy after DHS leadership said that the White House didn't support it, according to a Post source.

On Thursday, a DHS official sent an email telling agents to “hold on all worksite enforcement investigations/operations on agriculture (including aquaculture and meat packing plants), restaurants and operating hotels.”

The email followed President Trump's post on Truth Social that day, in which he wrote, "Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace.

"In many cases the Criminals allowed into our Country by the VERY Stupid Biden Open Borders Policy are applying for those jobs. This is not good. We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming!"

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller privately opposed the exemptions while Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins was pushing for them as the farming industry expressed concerns about losing workers, according to Post sources.

Trump appeared to change his tune on Sunday.

"Our Nation’s ICE Officers have shown incredible strength, determination, and courage as they facilitate a very important mission, the largest Mass Deportation Operation of Illegal Aliens in History," Trump posted on Truth Social.

"Every day, the Brave Men and Women of ICE are subjected to violence, harassment, and even threats from Radical Democrat Politicians, but nothing will stop us from executing our mission, and fulfilling our Mandate to the American People. ICE Officers are herewith ordered, by notice of this TRUTH, to do all in their power to achieve the very important goal of delivering the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History," he continued.

Workplace immigration raids have resulted in significant numbers of illegal immigrants being found, detained, and deported.

“There will be no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals or purposely try to undermine ICE’s efforts,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Monday. “Worksite enforcement remains a cornerstone of our efforts to safeguard public safety, national security and economic stability.”