In a rare nod to the labor needs of American farmers, President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he is open to allowing migrant laborers to remain in the country for as long as their employers vouch for them, according to a report published by Reuters on Friday.
Addressing a campaign-style rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Trump recognised the agricultural industry’s dependence on seasonal migrant workers and vowed to cooperate with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assist farmers.
“If a farmer will personally vouch for them in some manner, Kristi, I think we’re going to have to just say that’s going to be good, right?” Trump was quoted as saying, turning to his Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. “We don’t want to do it where we remove all of the workers from the farms.”
Farmers’ Concerns Reach Washington
President Trump’s comments came amid reports of growing anxiety among farmers who have claimed that they’re experiencing trouble finding workers because of tough immigration laws. Fears are widespread that crops may not be harvested if deportations continue at their accelerated rate.
While DHS under Secretary Noem has spearheaded efforts to increase deportations of illegal migrants, particularly those who entered illegally, Trump’s comments imply a potential exception for farmworkers—most especially in states like Iowa, where agriculture is a mainstay of the economy, the report said.
More Than Just Farms
Meanwhile, Trump also suggested extending such deals to the hotel sector, another industry that is highly dependent on migrant workers for low-skilled, seasonal jobs, although he didn’t provide details about how such policies could be pursued or regulated.
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