Ice reportedly shifting away from immigration raids on farms and hotels
The Trump administration deportation campaign is reportedly shifting its focus away from raids on the agricultural and hospitality sectors after Donald Trump conceded this week that his immigration policies are hurting the farming and hotel industries.
The New York Times reported that an internal email was sent on Thursday by Tatum King, a senior official with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice), to regional department leaders at Homeland Security Investigations, directing them to stop workplace immigration enforcement actions unless related to criminal investigations.
'Effective today, please hold on all work site enforcement investigations/operations on agriculture (including aquaculture and meat packing plants), restaurants and operating hotels,' King wrote in the guidance, according to the outlet.
The email explained that investigations involving 'human trafficking, money laundering, drug smuggling into these industries are OK', but added that agents were not to make arrests of 'noncriminal collaterals'.
'We will follow the president's direction and continue to work to get the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens off of America's streets,' Tricia McLaughlin, a homeland security department spokesperson, said in a statement to the outlet.
The guidance is a marked shift in emphasis and comes after a week-long protests in Los Angeles over an Ice raid on a garment factory in the city triggered protests when the national guard, and later the marines, were ordered into the city over the objections of California's governor, Gavin Newsom. Further protests over Ice raids are expected on Saturday.
The modification in guidance comes after Trump said on Thursday that changes to protect certain industries were in the works.
'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,' Trump wrote on Truth Social.
'We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming!' he added in the post.
Trump campaigned on a platform of mass deportations of undocumented migrants with criminal records or histories, but that expanded in recent weeks as Ice came under White House pressure to increase its daily quota of arrests to 3,000 and the policy appeared to shift to arresting undocumented immigrants with no criminal records.
That potentially affected tens of thousands of workers embedded in the agriculture, construction and hospitality sectors and raised the politically indigestible specter of family separations.
The elevated arrest targets were publicly promoted by Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, who reportedly told Ice officials in late May they needed to 'just go out there and arrest illegal aliens'.
In the new Ice guidance, later confirmed by the Wall Street Journal, King appeared to acknowledge that the Miller's quota targets would be affected. 'We acknowledge that by taking this off the table, that we are eliminating a significant # of potential targets,' he wrote.
Trump was reportedly warned by his agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins, that farmers – a key Republican-supporting constituency – were concerned that Ice enforcement would affect their businesses.
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that businesses were being hurt because sweeps of non-criminal foreign workers were driving changes in shopping behavior. The outlet cited a 3% drop in Coca-Cola's sales volume over the first three months of the year, in part because of a pullback by Hispanic shoppers.
Colgate-Palmolive, Modelo brewer Constellation Brands, and restaurant chains including Wingstop and El Pollo Loco have also said that decreased spending by Hispanic consumers had hurt sales.
'We have seen a huge decline in traffic,' Régis Schultz, CEO of JD Sports, the parent company of the Hispanic-targeting Shoe Palace retail chain, told analysts in May. 'You can see definitively the impact' of the immigration policy, he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
37 minutes ago
- The Sun
Minnesota ‘assassin' Vance Boelter's best friend reveals haunting text gunman sent after he ‘killed Melissa Hortman'
THE best friend and roommate of the suspected Minnesota assassin revealed the final chilling text he received from the alleged killer. Suspected gunman Vance Boelter is believed to have killed Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband at their home while disguised as a police officer, according to cops. 15 15 15 15 The killer also seriously injured Senator John Hoffman and his wife at their residence in Champlin just hours before, early on Saturday morning. The alleged shooter's friend, David Carlson, has now detailed his childhood pal's final goodbye message, according to KARE. Reading his text messages with Boelter, Carlson said: 'David and Ron, I love you guys. "I made some choices, and you guys don't know anything about this, but I'm going to be gone for a while. "May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn't gone this way." Footage showed the suspected political assassin's friend read the eerie messages in front of his home in North Minneapolis. He continued to read the texts: "I don't want to say anything more and implicate you in any way because you guys don't know anything about this. "But I love you guys and I'm sorry for all the trouble this has caused." Fearing his friend may have done something to harm himself, Carlson immediately called the cops. The 59-year-old, who met Boelter, 57, all the way back in fourth grade, was shocked at the prospect that his friend could have carried out the ruthless killings. 'He wasn't a hateful person,' Carlson said. He added: 'But he needed help.' The haunting texts were revealed after the accused killer's wife was detained following a dramatic traffic stop - before cops said they found weapons and passports in her car. Jenny Boetler was stopped by police while driving with several relatives near Onamia, Minnesota, on Saturday at around 10am, according to KTSP. 15 15 15 15 In the car she also had cash and ammunition, local cops said, adding that the wife was also held for questioning but not arrested. It is currently unclear whether the Boetlers lived together - since Vance is understood to have lived at a residence in Camden, Minnesota. The couple are understood to have joint-ran Praetorian Guard Security Services, a Minnesota-based security company. Their website says: 'Here to set up security options and provide security services right to your doorstep and property to keep what you own safe and secure." The site also says that Boelter had experience working with "security situations" across Eastern Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East. Online biographies also showed he was the CEO of Red Lion Group - which is based in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additionally, he is said to have worked with Minnesota Africans United - a local organization working with African immigrants in the state. 2022 footage showed Boelter speaking about Red Lion Group's ventures in the DRC, claiming to have business ventures there in fishing, farming, media, security, and motorcycle-taxis. Last month, his online profiles said he was open to work. Boelter's longtime pal Carlson seemingly confirmed his search for work, and added that his friend was experiencing financial trouble, according to CNN. 15 15 15 Carlson said: 'He was looking around, but maybe things didn't work out and he just gave up and decided to go out in a blaze of glory. "I have no idea what he was thinking." Boelter was twice appointed to Minnesota government by different Democratic governors. In 2016 then Governor Mark Dayton appointed Boelter to the Workforce Development Council. Later in 2019, current Governor Tim Walz enlisted him to serve a four-year stint on the Workforce Development Board, according to documents. Despite his work under Walz, Carlson revealed that Boelter had voted for Donald Trump at the last election. The security services worker also last registered to vote in 2022 as a Republican, according to the New York Post. FBI announces $50k reward for arrest and conviction The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Vance L. Boelter, the suspect in Saturday's targeted shootings of Minnesota lawmakers and their families in Champlin and Brooklyn Park. Anyone with information about these shootings or Boelter's location should call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) tip line at 877-996-6222 or email The public is asked to call 911 immediately if they see Boelter. Do not approach him. The FBI, BCA, Brooklyn Park Police Department and Champlin Police Department along with other local and state law enforcement officials continue searching for Boelter. Source: Minnesota Department of Public Safety Carlson added that he wasn't aware of what Boelter's political leanings on state politics were, however. He also shared that Boetler was also strongly anti-abortion - but not in a way that could have motivated him to kill. 'It wasn't the thing that defined him,' Carlson said. 'I mean, it wasn't his total existence. He would talk about other things.' Boelter lived at Carlson's home in North Minneapolis just a few days a week, according to the roommate. He explained how Boelter was not at the residence at the time officers executed a search warrant on Saturday. 15 15 Cops were called to Senator Hoffman's home at 2:08am on Saturday and responded to Rep. Hortman's home at 3:35am — where they exchanged gunfire with the suspect. The shooter was seen on home security footage released by the FBI outside one of the victim's homes, wearing a fake police uniform and an eerie latex mask. As cops launched an extensive manhunt for the killer who is still at large, they named 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter as a suspect in the shootings. He should be considered armed and dangerous and the public should not approach him, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has warned. A $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction has been announced by the FBI. A motive has not been released by cops, but the shootings come as millions take to the streets as part of the anti-Trump No Kings movement as the President holds a military parade in Washington DC. "We don't have any direct links, however there were some fliers that said 'No Kings' within the suspect vehicle, and as we know, the events planned throughout the state of Minnesota is a No Kings event," Minnesota State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic said. Boelter was last seen in the Twin Cities area wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, a dark long-sleeved shirt and light pants. He is described as 220lbs and 6 foot 1 and cops believe he is trying to flee the area and may be carrying a dark bag. The public should call 911 or sent tips to or call 877-996-6222.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Drug-addled migrant can stay in UK after judge rules he would ‘struggle mentally'
A drug-addled migrant who has racked up 42 convictions in Britain cannot be deported to Uganda after a judge ruled he 'struggles mentally'. The 44-year-old man, named as MW, would also struggle to deal with his diabetes and opioid addiction, the judge said. The man was initially granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK, having lived here since the age of six. But he grew up to have a prolific criminal career, which saw him serve two years and three months in a Young Offenders Institute for robbery and possessing a blade in March 1999. In December 2001 he was jailed for two months for fraud, and in December 2008 he was sentenced to three years and six months for actual bodily harm and robbery. He also served an 18-month term in May 2017 for supply of cocaine and heroin. As a result, the Home Office decided to deport him. In response he launched a human rights claim, saying that he was gay and would be persecuted in Uganda. Second protection claim That was refused on May 7 2019, prompting an appeal to the First-tier Immigration Tribunal. While that appeal was pending, he submitted a second protection claim which was also refused on June 28 2023. His appeal was expanded to include a challenge to this second refusal. Even while these appeals were ongoing the man, who has fathered four children here, was convicted again and awaiting sentence for another burglary. The First-tier Tribunal heard the case on Nov 28 2024 and issued its decision on Jan 8 2025. The judge found that MW could not claim refugee status and humanitarian protection because he was a 'danger to the community' and that he had not shown he would be at risk in Uganda. However, the judge allowed his human rights appeal, finding that he met the exception to the public interest in deportation under UK law, which applies to foreign criminals sentenced to less than four years. The judgment said: 'The main concern with regard to the appellant relocating to Uganda is the length of time which he has been away from the country coupled with his vulnerability as an individual suffering from PTSD with a history of drug and alcohol abuse and the lack of support in Uganda. 'I find that it is more likely than not that the appellant would struggle mentally on his return to Uganda, that he would have a real lack of emotional support to assist him in reintegrating and that his mental health will impact on his ability to find employment, accommodation and forge links in Uganda.' The Home Office was granted permission to appeal this decision but another judge finally dismissed this appeal, meaning the man can stay.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Americans don't see Supreme Court as politically neutral, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds
WASHINGTON, June 15 (Reuters) - Americans are divided on major issues that the U.S. Supreme Court is due to rule on in the coming weeks, but most agree on one thing - neither Republicans nor Democrats see the nation's top judicial body as politically neutral, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. Just 20% of respondents to the poll agreed that the Supreme Court is politically neutral while 58% disagreed and the rest either said they did not know or did not respond. Among people who described themselves as Democrats, only 10% agreed it was politically neutral and 74% disagreed, while among Republicans 29% agreed and 54% disagreed. The two-day poll, which closed on Thursday, was based on responses from 1,136 U.S. adults. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. The court has issued major rulings in recent years including in cases rolling back abortion rights, expanding gun rights, recognizing presidential immunity from prosecution for official acts, rejecting race-conscious collegiate admissions and curbing the power of federal agencies. Its 6-3 conservative majority includes three justices appointed by Republican President Donald Trump in his first term in office. In the Reuters/Ipsos poll, 44% of respondents expressed a favorable view of the court, including 67% of Republicans and 26% of Democrats. The Supreme Court's popularity has declined since its June 2022 decision to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that had legalized abortion nationwide. Some 57% of respondents in a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted at the end of 2021 expressed a favorable opinion of the court. By the end of June 2022, that figure had fallen to 43%. The justices are expected to issue rulings in major cases in the coming weeks as they near the end of their current term that began in October. Among these cases are one on the legality of Tennessee's Republican-backed law banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors and one involving Trump's executive order restricting automatic birthright citizenship, part of his hardline approach to immigration. Some 53% of respondents in the Reuters/Ipsos poll said they supported "laws that prevent transgender children under the age of 18 from getting medical treatment related to gender identity and gender transitioning." Another 28% opposed such laws and the rest were unsure or did not answer the question. Among Republicans, support for such laws was at 57% and opposition at 28%, while among Democrats support was at 23% and opposition at 54%. The Tennessee law prohibits medical treatments such as puberty blockers and hormones for transgender minors. During December 4 arguments in the case, the court's conservative justices signaled their willingness to uphold the law. The eventual ruling could affect other state laws targeting transgender people. After Trump signed his birthright citizenship directive in January, 22 states as well as immigrant rights advocates and pregnant immigrants sued, arguing that it was a violation of citizenship language in the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment. In the Reuters/Ipsos poll, only 24% of all respondents supported ending birthright citizenship and 52% opposed it. Among Democrats, 5% supported ending it, with 84% opposed. Among Republicans, 43% supported ending it, with 24% opposed. The rest said they were unsure or did not respond to the question. The court also by the end of this month is expected to issue a ruling on the legality of a Texas law that requires people to verify the age online before accessing pornographic websites. The Reuters/Ipsos poll found strong support for such laws. Among all respondents, 70% were in support and 14% opposed. Among Democrats, 65% supported and 18% opposed, while among Republicans 80% supported and 7% opposed. During January 15 arguments in the case, the justices seemed to agree that states can try to keep adult material from minors but also voiced concern over burdens imposed on adults to view constitutionally protected material.
