President Donald Trump has ordered a temporary suspension of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in key sectors such as agriculture, hospitality and catering, following a wave of criticism from business owners, farmers and unions who warned about the economic impact of these operations. The New York Times.
The decision comes after videos went viral showing ICE agents detaining immigrant workers at their workplaces. The images, widely shared on social media, sparked outrage and fear among both immigrant communities and employers who rely on this workforce.
According to an internal memo cited by educator and political commentator Diane Ravitch's blog, the Trump administration has instructed ICE to halt all raids on farms, restaurant kitchens, and hotels unless the cases involve serious crimes such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, or money laundering.
Pressure from the private sector has been decisive. Representatives of the agricultural industry warned that the absence of migrant workers puts the harvest and food distribution at risk. Similarly, hotel and restaurant owners expressed concern about the loss of key employees in areas such as cleaning, cooking, and customer service.
"We can support immigration laws, but we need workers to operate. Without them, there are no businesses to sustain," said a hotel industry entrepreneur who requested anonymity.
Although the measure appears to temporarily ease tensions, experts caution that there is still no formal written policy guaranteeing a long-term suspension. Some political analysts highlight the volatile nature of former President Trump's decisions, noting that such changes can be reversed at any time, especially if a loss of control at the border is perceived.
The immigration debate continues to divide American public opinion. While conservative sectors applaud mass deportations, industries that depend on immigrant labor warn about the economic consequences of excessively restrictive immigration policies.
For now, the pause in the raids offers a respite to thousands of workers and the productive sectors that depend on them. However, the lack of a legal and stable solution keeps many in a state of uncertainty.
