Fact Check: "The Trump administration directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to halt arrests at farms, hotels, and restaurants on June 14, 2025, due to concerns that immigration enforcement was negatively impacting these industries."
What We Know
On June 14, 2025, the Trump administration did indeed direct ICE to largely pause arrests at farms, hotels, and restaurants. This decision was communicated through an internal email from Tatum King, a senior ICE official, to regional leaders, stating that investigations and operations in these sectors should be halted. The guidance specifically mentioned that while investigations related to human trafficking, money laundering, and drug smuggling could continue, arrests of "noncriminal collaterals"—undocumented individuals not known to have committed any crime—were to be avoided (New York Times, AP News).
The decision was reportedly influenced by President Trump's acknowledgment that aggressive immigration enforcement was adversely affecting key industries, particularly agriculture and hospitality, which rely heavily on immigrant labor. Trump expressed concern that the strict policies were driving away essential workers from these sectors (Reuters, US News).
Analysis
The claim that the Trump administration directed ICE to halt arrests at farms, hotels, and restaurants on June 14, 2025, is accurate in terms of the directive being issued. However, the reasoning behind this directive is more nuanced. The administration's pause was not an outright cessation of all immigration enforcement but rather a strategic shift to mitigate the negative economic impact on industries that were vocal about their labor shortages due to aggressive ICE actions.
The directive came after a period of heightened enforcement, where ICE was reportedly conducting around 3,000 arrests daily, a significant increase from previous months. This escalation raised alarms among business owners in agriculture and hospitality, prompting Trump to reconsider the approach (AP News, US News).
While the directive was indeed issued, it is essential to recognize that it did not signify a complete halt to immigration enforcement. The guidance allowed for continued investigations into serious crimes while limiting the arrest of undocumented individuals who were not involved in criminal activities. This indicates a balancing act between enforcing immigration laws and responding to the economic realities faced by industries reliant on immigrant labor.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that the Trump administration directed ICE to halt arrests at farms, hotels, and restaurants due to concerns about immigration enforcement negatively impacting these industries is misleading. While it is true that a directive was issued to pause certain arrests, the reasoning was more about addressing economic concerns rather than a blanket cessation of enforcement. The pause was strategic, allowing for continued investigations into serious crimes while attempting to alleviate the labor shortages in key industries.
