Facing pressure over criticism related to mass arrests of undocumented immigrants, the Trump administration attempts to adjust its approach.
The White House announced Thursday an expedited visa program for immigrant workers, aimed at addressing labor needs in agricultural and food sectors… while emphasizing that this does not constitute amnesty.
“This is not an amnesty. No one who entered illegally will be offered citizenship or permanent residency,” insisted a senior administration official quoted by Axios.
Specifically, the program aims to accelerate the issuance of temporary work visas for foreigners wishing to work in the United States, provided they apply from their home countries. The Office of Immigration Policy has been tasked with overseeing this initiative, with the stated goal of streamlining the system and reducing dependence on undocumented labor.
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer praised the measure in a message posted on X: “USDOL is acting to ensure taxpayer-funded employment services are reserved for American workers — not illegal immigrants,” Newsmax reported.
Behind the scenes, this announcement appears to address concerns expressed by the agricultural sector, where labor shortages are worsening. Several farmers have warned that crops might rot due to worker shortages. In response to this alert, Donald Trump reportedly asked ICE in mid-June to temporarily suspend raids on farms, hotels, restaurants, and slaughterhouses, according to sources cited by Reuters.
“He wasn’t aware of the operation’s scale. Once informed, he decided to halt it,” a close presidential advisor told the agency.
This partial reversal comes amid tensions, marked by criticism from Democrats and certain cities against ICE’s high-profile raids in Los Angeles and elsewhere. Even within Republican ranks, several elected officials are calling for prioritizing foreign criminals rather than targeting undocumented workers.
The White House thus attempts to maintain a tough stance on illegal immigration while accommodating the economic needs of sectors dependent on foreign labor.
It remains to be seen whether this measure will suffice to calm tensions or if it will be perceived, from both ends of the political spectrum, as either too weak a concession — or too hypocritical.
By Emmanuel Paul | Based on reports from Newsmax and Reuters
