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Know This Now: President Trump Signals Opening on Farm and Hotel Workers

By April 11, 2025April 14th, 2025No Comments

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Breaking News: President Trump Floats Slowing Deportation of Migrant Farm and Hotel Workers and Finding Paths to Legal Work, on the Heels of Our D.C. Fly-In

The President suggested at a Cabinet meeting Thursday that undocumented people working on farms and in hotels would be allowed to leave the country and return as legal workers if their employers vouched for them.

Coverage of the President’s comments from Newsweek, NBC and Newsmax credited our “Secure America’s Workforce” D.C. Fly-In for rallying attention on Capitol Hill for this issue just two weeks ago. President Trump’s comments also dovetail with ABIC’s recent survey results showing broad support for a framework that combines both securing our border and securing our existing workforce. 

He gave an example of a farmer providing “a letter concerning certain people, saying they’re great, they’re working hard. We’re going to slow it down a little bit for them, and then we’re going to ultimately bring them back. They’ll go out. They’re going to come back as legal workers.”

  • ABIC’s RESPONSE: President Trump’s comments come just weeks after our D.C. Fly-In brought the voices of 250 business leaders to Capitol Hill to attend more than 120 meetings with Republicans and Democrats and the Trump administration. Employers shared their concerns about workforce stability and the need for urgent immigration reform. 

    “On the heels of these meetings, we appreciate the administration’s acknowledgment of the vital role immigrant workers play in sustaining key industries like agriculture and hospitality. These workers are the backbone of our economy, ensuring our farms thrive and our businesses operate smoothly,” Rebecca Shi, ABIC CEO, said in a statement.

  • “SECURE AMERICA’S WORKFORCE” FLY-IN FEATURED IN COVERAGE in Newsweek, NBC News and Newsmax reporting of yesterday’s Presidential comments. ABIC member Artemio Muniz was quoted by NBC as part of our Fly-In coalition:
  • COMITÉ DE 100 Co-Chairs Sam Sanchez and Massey Villarreal weighed in with their appreciation for the opening of dialogue, and the desire to dig in and work with lawmakers and the Administration.



    “These hard working individuals are the backbone of our industries. They have been working for decades and paying taxes. We’re ready to work with President Trump and Congress to bring them out of the shadows and unleash their economic potential.”

    What a promising start! Join us to make “Secure America’s Workforce” a reality, just reply to this email to let us know you’d like to be involved.

More From the ABIC Network:

ABIC Healthcare Webinar: Immigration Reform & the Future of U.S. Healthcare Workforce
We’ll cover I-9 audit preparation best practices and how changes to privilege locations may affect healthcare facilities across the country.When: April 25, 11 am CST/12PM ESTRegister: https://secure.everyaction.com/ZINTSMW4aESF8nkIkcmpbw2Newsweek Feature – Business Leaders Call for More Work Visas Amid Trump’s Crackdown

ABIC leaders and members contributed their expert perspectives to this story focused on U.S. business leaders calling for an urgent expansion of work visa programs and legal status for current workforce already here.

News Briefing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y-pud1U7X8

As part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy, the Trump administration moved 6,000 mostly Latino immigrants’ names to the Social Security Administration’s “Death Master File” this week. This action blocks access to essential services like healthcare, employment, and financial aid. The move is reportedly intended to pressure undocumented immigrants into self-deporting by cutting off their ability to live and work in the U.S.

President Trump announced intentions to withhold all federal funding from sanctuary cities and states that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Cities like New York, Chicago, and Denver could be affected. 

In The Courts:

The court ruled the Trump administration must facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident wrongly deported to El Salvador despite having protected legal status since 2019. The deportation was labeled an “administrative error” by the Justice Department.

The Trump Administration has the go-ahead to implement a policy requiring all undocumented immigrants aged 14 and older to register with the federal government and carry identification. Noncompliance could result in fines or prosecution

Get Involved

  1. Join one of ABIC’s Councils of 100 and let your voice be heard with your peers – sign up here. The Council of 100 is a coalition of top business leaders working to advance common-sense workforce solutions.
  2. Share your story: If your business is interested in engaging with the press as part of ABIC or amplifying your story on social media, take this quick survey to let us know your preferences. 

 

Key Employer Resources:

Always available: ABIC Employer Resources Folder

ABIC in the news. . .

View all recent coverage here

  • Congresswoman Maria Salazar (R-FL) joined ‘Secure America’s Workforce’: X/Twitter
  • Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined ‘Secure America’s Workforce’: X/Twitter

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