Washington, D.C. — The Trump administration is actively developing a temporary work permit program for undocumented immigrants employed in agriculture and hospitality, aiming to balance its aggressive immigration enforcement with the economic needs of key industries.
President Donald Trump, in a June 29, 2025, interview on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, outlined plans for a “temporary pass” that would allow farmers and hotel owners to retain long-term workers while prioritizing the deportation of undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
This policy shift follows concerns from industry leaders about labor shortages caused by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
“We’re working on it right now.
We’re going to work it so that some kind of a temporary pass where people pay taxes, where the farmer can have a little control, as opposed to you walk in and take everybody away,” Trump said, referencing workers who have been employed for 15 to 20 years but may have entered the U.S. without legal status.
He emphasized the importance of supporting farmers, stating, “I cherish our farmers,” while maintaining a hardline stance on deporting criminals.
The proposal comes amid a broader immigration crackdown that has targeted workplaces, including farms, hotels, and restaurants, sparking protests and economic concerns.
Approximately 42% of U.S. crop farmworkers are undocumented, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the hospitality industry employs around 1.1 million undocumented workers, representing 7.6% of its workforce in 2023, per the American Immigration Council.
These sectors have voiced alarm over losing reliable workers, with agricultural output potentially dropping by $30 billion if mass deportations continue, as estimated by the American Business Immigration Coalition.
The administration’s approach has been inconsistent, reflecting internal tensions.
On June 12, 2025, Trump posted on Truth Social, acknowledging that his “very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long-time workers away” from farms and hotels, signaling “changes are coming.”
This led to a brief pause in ICE raids on these industries, as confirmed by an internal ICE email from senior official Tatum King.
However, the pause was reversed days later, with DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stating, “There will be no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals or purposely try to undermine ICE’s efforts.”
The temporary pass proposal appears to build on existing programs like H-2A and H-2B visas, which allow employers to hire temporary migrant workers for agricultural and non-agricultural jobs, respectively.
In April 2025, Trump suggested improving these programs to allow undocumented workers to leave and return legally if vouched for by employers.
A White House official confirmed Trump’s interest in streamlining these visa programs to address industry needs.
Industry leaders have welcomed the potential relief but remain cautious.
Avoiding An Economic Plunge
Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, emphasized that farm workers are critical to the food supply chain, warning that deportations could cause disruptions akin to those during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Similarly, Michelle Korsmo, president of the National Restaurant Association, urged the administration to extend protections to restaurant workers, citing over 1 million unfilled jobs in the sector.
However, the proposal has sparked backlash from some Republicans and immigration hardliners.
Representative Andy Harris, chair of the House Freedom Caucus, stressed the need for legal workforce solutions like expanded H-2A and H-2B visas, while others, like Jessica Melendez, criticized selective enforcement as “infuriating.”
Posts on X reflect divided sentiment, with some praising the pragmatic approach and others decrying it as amnesty.
The administration’s broader immigration agenda remains aggressive.
ICE is tasked with arresting 3,000 undocumented immigrants daily, a goal that experts say requires large-scale workplace raids.
The Supreme Court’s May 30, 2025, ruling allowed the administration to revoke temporary protections for over 500,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, prompting DHS to encourage “self-deportation.”
This has heightened fears among workers, with some farmworker communities reporting reduced labor participation due to raid concerns.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has been a key advocate for the temporary pass, warning of potential food supply chain disruptions.
In a June 16, 2025, social media post, she supported Trump’s deportation goals but emphasized prioritizing public safety threats to minimize economic harm.
As the administration refines this policy, business leaders and advocates await concrete details.
Teresa Romero, president of United Farm Workers, expressed skepticism, stating, “If Trump has a real desire to protect farm workers, we’re all ears, but we’d like to see a real plan.”
With industries like construction also reporting labor shortages, calls for broader visa reforms are growing, though legislative action would likely be needed for lasting solutions.
The Trump administration faces a delicate balancing act: fulfilling campaign promises for mass deportations while addressing the economic realities of industries reliant on immigrant labor.
Also Read: Pro Trump Farmers Now Admit They Can’t Find American Workers
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