Trump Admits His Immigration Policy Is Hurting Key Sectors and Promises Changes

Trump admits economic harm

Labor shortages

Migrant workers fear deportation

According to the EFE news agency, President Donald Trump acknowledged on Thursday that his «very aggressive» immigration policy is having a negative impact on several essential sectors of the U.S. economy.

From his Truth Social account, Trump said that “changes” to this strategy are on the way.

The comment came after hearing complaints from agricultural, hospitality, and entertainment business owners.

According to the former president, these sectors are facing a labor crisis due to workers’ fear of being detained or deported.

Trump Promises Changes Amid Business Criticism

Trump Admits His Immigration Policy Is Hurting Key Sectors – PHOTO: shutterstock

«We must protect our farmers but get the CRIMINALS OUT of the U.S. CHANGES ARE COMING!» wrote Trump in all caps.

He also stated that many employers are losing valuable workers who have not been replaced.

“Many workers are staying away from their jobs for long periods and are almost impossible to replace,” he posted in another message.

He added that those now applying for those jobs are people with criminal records, who, according to him, were allowed in under President Joe Biden’s “open borders” policy.

Essential Migrants Fear ICE Raids

Trump’s Immigration Policy – PHOTO: Shutterstock

This statement reflects Trump’s dual approach: on one hand, wanting to retain labor in sensitive sectors, and on the other, insisting on harsher immigration enforcement.

Trump has made immigration one of the pillars of his political platform since his first presidential campaign.

During his previous administration, he pushed for mass deportations and the construction of border walls with Mexico.

Since returning to the White House, he has pledged to continue that path, promising even tougher policies for undocumented immigrants.

Impact of Trump’s Immigration Policy

Trump’s Immigration Policy – PHOTO: Getty

However, the sectors now being affected are precisely those most dependent on immigrant labor.

In many cases, these are undocumented workers, but essential to the country’s daily economy.

«The fear of being detained by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has led many to leave their jobs and go into hiding.»

The raids and immigration operations have created an atmosphere of persecution, affecting thousands of families and businesses.

Economic Data Challenges Trump’s Narrative

Trump Promises Changes – PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

While Trump continues to link undocumented migration with criminality, the data tells a different story.

According to the American Immigration Council (AIC), undocumented immigrants paid $89.9 billion in taxes in 2023.

Additionally, Pew Research Center studies reveal that these workers are concentrated in sectors such as construction, agriculture, hospitality, and cleaning services.

In other words, they are key labor for the functioning of multiple industries.

Trump Between Economics and Rhetoric

The contradiction in Trump’s messaging has raised concerns even among his business allies.

Many acknowledge that without immigrants, it would be difficult to sustain agricultural, hospitality, and leisure operations in many regions of the country.

Voices are also rising in favor of a comprehensive immigration reform that allows these workers to be regularized and granted security.

Trump himself appears to be considering adjustments to his immigration policy—though without letting go of his anti-immigration rhetoric.

Invisible Immigrants Sustain Essential Sectors

His Truth Social posts suggest an attempt to distinguish between “good workers” and “criminals,” though without outlining clear mechanisms for such differentiation.

Meanwhile, migrant rights organizations denounce what they call an unfair stigmatization.

They point out that many of these workers have contributed for years to the economy and to maintaining essential services.

Despite the threats, millions continue working in silence—under precarious conditions and constant fear of ICE raids.

Elections May Redefine Immigration Policy

Trump’s promise of “changes” has been met with skepticism.

So far, his policies have leaned more toward crackdowns than reconciliation.

As elections draw near, immigration will once again take center stage in the political debate.

And the productive sectors that once supported strict immigration policies are now beginning to feel the consequences.