President Trump has announced a new policy proposal that would allow farmers in Iowa to vouch for longtime immigrant farmworkers facing deportation, enabling them to remain in the U.S. The initiative, still in the legislative drafting phase, would be implemented in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.
Speaking Thursday night at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Trump said the measure aims to protect hardworking laborers who have built years-long relationships with American farmers. “If a farmer is willing to vouch for these people… I think we’re going to have to just say that’s going to be good,” Trump told the crowd. “They work very hard, and some of the farmers… cry when they see this happen.”
Trump said the plan would effectively “put the farmers in charge,” placing the responsibility of vetting on those who know the workers best. He joked that if farmers fail in that responsibility, “we’ll throw them the hell out of the country. We’ll let the illegals stay, and we’ll throw the farmers the hell out.”
He emphasized that the policy wouldn’t compromise border enforcement but would ensure that critical agricultural labor isn’t lost.
Trump also cited cases of workers being deported after more than a decade on the job, calling it “pretty vicious.” He suggested a similar exemption could eventually apply to workers in the hospitality industry.
