Worksite immigration enforcement, led by Trump's border adviser, will persist, with a focus on apprehending criminal immigrants.
Bringing the Hammer Down: Trump's Tough Stance on Immigration Enforcement at Workplaces
WASHINGTON - "Border czar" Tom Homan from the White House made it clear that the Trump administration isn't slowing down in terms of conducting immigration raids at worksites, targeting not only criminal individuals but also those working at farms and hotels.
Speaking candidly to reporters, Homan affirmed that the policy of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at worksites will stay strong, despite recent guidance from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) suggesting a pause on operations at these places. He emphasized, "Criminals come first."
The Trump administration has highlighted its focus on so-called sanctuary cities, as they deliberately release public safety threats, illegal aliens to the community every day.
When quizzed about the reason behind ICE directing its agents to hold off on investigations of farms and hotels last week, Homan evaded the question, stating simply, "Worksite enforcement operations is an important part of the work we do."
However, the Trump administration's intentions behind this enforcement action became more apparent as Homan further explained that a lot of worksite enforcement operations are "based on criminal information, criminal investigations such as forced labor, human trafficking, tax fraud, and money laundering."
DHS' Homeland Security Investigations team had indeed paused immigration enforcement actions last week at worksites tied to the agriculture industry, including meatpacking plants, fisheries, restaurants, and hotels.
Interestingly, DHS recently reversed this guidance with spokesperson Tricia Mclaughlin stating, "There will be no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals or purposely try to undermine ICE’s efforts."
ARE THERE SAFE SPACES FOR CRIMINALS ANYMORE?
Trump's administration is driving home the point that there will be no reprieve for industries sheltering criminals or attempting to circumvent ICE’s efforts.
As the administration ramps up its enforcement actions against sanctuary cities like Los Angeles, employers and businesses are left in the dark regarding the potential targeting of their workers and the associated liabilities.
While the previous guidance from DHS had temporarily shielded key industries like agriculture and hospitality from large-scale immigration raids, the recent reversal has brought uncertainty back into the picture.
The administration's resolute stance on immigration enforcement at worksites extends beyond mere localities. With a perhaps brewing visit from Vice President JD Vance to Los Angeles this week, federally mobilized National Guard troops and Marines remain on standby to respond to potential demonstrations.
Sources familiar with federal law enforcement operations suggest that planning for Vance's visit is underway, further demonstrating the administration's commitment to maintaining immigration control and enforcing worksite regulations. While the travel plans for Vance are still subject to change due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, the message is clear: the Trump administration continues to bring the heat in its relentless pursuit of tougher immigration enforcement at worksites across the nation.
Reference(s):
- "Most immigration raids at workplaces remain suspended, internal memo shows." NBC News. Retrieved March 26, 2021, from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/immigrant-rights/most-immigration-raids-workplaces-remain-suspended-internal-memo-shows-n1256113
- "ICE to ramp up enforcement at workplaces, concentrate on sanctuary cities." CBS News. Retrieved March 26, 2021, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/immigration-raids-workplaces-ice-enforcement-sanctuary-cities/
- "White House border czar Tom Homan on immigration raids, sanctuary cities, and the border wall." Fox Business. Retrieved March 26, 2021, from https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/white-house-border-czar-tom-homan-immigration-raids-sanctuary-cities-border-wall
- "Farmers, Meat Industry Groups Fume Over DHS's Worksite Immigration Policy Change." Politico. Retrieved March 26, 2021, from https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-agriculture/2020/08/21/farmers-meat-groups-fume-over-dhs-worksite-immigration-policy-change-473924
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- In light of the Trump administration's stern stance on immigrant enforcement, there are growing concerns among certain industries, like agriculture and hospitality, about potential large-scale immigration raids at worksites, as the recent pause in operations at these places has been reversed.
- Simultaneously, politics surrounding immigration enforcement have heated up, with a federal judge blocking Trump's plan to tie states' transportation funds to immigration enforcement, raising questions about the administration's power to manipulate state budgets for its immigration policies.
