Trump 'border czar' Homan says ICE raids on farms, hotels will continue, but 'criminals come first'

President Trump "border czar" Tom Homan, says Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will continue to go to farms and hotels to look for suspected illegal migrants, after raids on such workplaces were temporarily paused.

"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 said Thursday, accordind to the news outlet Axios.

Regarding farmers who are concerned about the raids and how they will impact their jobs and the 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.

"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."

Homan's confirmation comes after a few days of back-and-forth at the Department of Homeland Security regarding workplace raids.

On June 12, Trump posted on Truth Social, "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!"

That same day, 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 Washington Post reported.

Trump appeared to change his position Sunday, when he posted, 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."

ICE 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, per the Post.