In a recent Fox News interview, former President Donald Trump said he is working on a plan to create a “temporary pass” for certain undocumented immigrants working in agriculture and other industries—an apparent acknowledgment of the essential role these workers play in the U.S. economy.
“We're working on it right now. We're going to work it so that [there's] 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 on Fox News' “Sunday Morning Futures.”
Trump specifically criticized the practice of conducting immigration enforcement raids on farms that result in removing workers who may have been there “15 or 20 years,” saying such sweeps can “destroy” farming operations.
He suggested giving farmers more discretion, noting:
“The farmer knows. He's not going to hire a murderer... When you go into a farm and he's had somebody working with him for nine years... you end up destroying a farmer because you took all the people away.”
A Shifting, Often Contradictory Enforcement Posture
The proposal comes after weeks of seemingly conflicting signals from the Trump team about immigration enforcement at worksites.
In early June, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly paused worksite arrests in the agriculture, restaurant, and hotel industries—acknowledging the industry complaints that the administration's crackdown was removing experienced, difficult-to-replace workers.
Trump himself posted on Truth Social on June 12 that the administration's policy was taking “very good, long time workers” away from employers in farming and hospitality, jobs he described as “almost impossible to replace.” He promised that “changes are coming.”
But just days later, the administration lifted the pause, resuming worksite arrests and reaffirming a tough-on-enforcement stance.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin repeated the department's standard response, emphasizing there would be “no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals or purposely try to undermine ICE's efforts.” DHS says worksite enforcement “remains a cornerstone” of its mission to safeguard public safety, economic stability, and labor markets.
Questions About Policy Consistency
Trump's latest comments on Fox News appear to contradict DHS's own messaging. Asked whether the proposed “temporary pass” would conflict with DHS policy, the agency declined to elaborate beyond its standard statement.
The White House also did not immediately provide details about how the proposed “temporary pass” would work, or how it would differ from existing guest worker visas like the H-2A and H-2B programs.
Trump has previously floated the idea of letting undocumented workers depart the U.S. and re-enter legally through these existing channels.
Why This Matters
For farmers and agricultural employers, the uncertainty is frustrating. The industry has long warned that immigration raids targeting experienced workers threaten to cripple U.S. food production by removing laborers willing to do work many Americans avoid.
For immigrant workers, the policy reversals create fear and confusion about whether they will be allowed to stay and work legally—even temporarily—or be subject to renewed enforcement sweeps.
Saluja Law's Take:
These conflicting signals underscore the need for comprehensive immigration reform that provides clear, consistent rules for employers and immigrant workers alike. Temporary or seasonal guest worker programs like H-2A and H-2B exist, but many argue they are too bureaucratic, underfunded, or limited to meet real-world labor demands.
Proposals like Trump's “temporary pass” idea highlight bipartisan recognition that the U.S. economy relies on immigrant labor—but unless such proposals are turned into actual law with meaningful protections, the uncertainty will continue to harm both workers and the industries that depend on them.
If you have questions about immigration enforcement, worksite compliance, or employment-based visas, contact Saluja Law. We help employers and workers navigate the complex U.S. immigration system.