Fact Check: "The Trump administration directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to halt arrests at farms, restaurants, and hotels on June 14, 2025, due to concerns about the impact of immigration enforcement on key industries."
What We Know
On June 14, 2025, the Trump administration did indeed direct ICE to pause arrests at farms, restaurants, and hotels. This directive was confirmed through an internal email from Tatum King, a senior ICE official, to regional leaders, which stated that investigations and operations in these sectors should be halted. The guidance specifically mentioned that while serious crimes such as human trafficking and drug smuggling could still be investigated, arrests of undocumented individuals who were not known to have committed any crimes were to be avoided (source, source).
The decision to pause these arrests was reportedly influenced by President Trump's concerns about the negative impact of aggressive immigration enforcement on industries that rely heavily on immigrant labor, particularly agriculture and hospitality. Trump acknowledged that his administration's policies were alienating key constituencies, including farmers and hotel operators, who were facing labor shortages as a result of the enforcement actions (source, source).
Analysis
The claim that the Trump administration directed ICE to halt arrests at farms, restaurants, and hotels on June 14, 2025, is accurate. Multiple credible sources, including The New York Times and ABC News, confirm the existence of this directive and its context. The directive was a response to growing concerns from industries about the adverse effects of immigration enforcement on their operations.
However, it is important to note that while the directive paused arrests in these specific sectors, it did not eliminate ICE's enforcement capabilities entirely. The agency was still permitted to investigate serious crimes within these industries, and there was no indication that ICE would cease operations in other sectors (source, source).
The sources providing this information are reputable news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The New York Times and Reuters are known for their journalistic integrity, and their reports are corroborated by official statements from the Department of Homeland Security (source, source).
Conclusion
The claim that the Trump administration directed ICE to halt arrests at farms, restaurants, and hotels on June 14, 2025, is True. The directive was a strategic response to concerns from key industries about the impact of immigration enforcement on their labor supply. While the directive does indicate a shift in enforcement priorities, it does not suggest a complete cessation of ICE activities in all sectors.
