President Donald Trump said Thursday he is willing to allow some undocumented migrant laborers to remain in the United States—provided their employers in the agricultural industry vouch for them. The statement came during a campaign-style event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, where Trump addressed the challenges facing the farming sector.
“I think we’re going to have to just say that’s going to be good,” Trump told Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from the stage, referencing farmers who depend on seasonal labor. “We don’t want to do it where we take all of the workers off the farms,” he added.
While maintaining his hard-line stance on immigration enforcement, Trump signaled a willingness to accommodate the agricultural and hospitality industries, which have raised concerns about labor shortages. His remarks suggest a possible exception to ongoing deportation efforts led by Noem under his administration.
Farmers in Iowa and across the country have warned that aggressive immigration enforcement could leave crops unharvested due to a shrinking labor force. Trump’s comments hint at a pragmatic adjustment as the 2024 campaign unfolds in rural, agriculture-heavy regions.
