ICE Resumes Nationwide Raids on Farms, Hospitality Workplaces

President Donald Trump reversed his brief pause on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) workplace raids targeting hotels, restaurants, farms, and related industries, ordering agents to resume and intensify deportations, particularly in major cities. This reversal came shortly after initial signals of exemptions for these sectors, causing confusion and concern among industry leaders who rely heavily on immigrant workers, who constitute a significant portion of the workforce in agriculture, hospitality, and other fields. The decision sparked widespread criticism from business groups and labor unions, highlighting fears over workforce disruptions and economic impacts, especially in regions like Oregon's wine country and Las Vegas's hospitality sector. ICE officials were instructed to maintain daily arrest quotas despite earlier pauses, with the Department of Homeland Security emphasizing the enforcement actions as vital to public safety and economic stability. Local officials and unions expressed frustration over the administration's inconsistent messaging and the lack of clear guidance, underscoring the immigrant community's role as a backbone of the economy. The policy reversal has led to renewed workplace raids, including a notable incident at a Louisiana horse racing track, intensifying tensions nationwide.