U.S. To Pause Migrant Raids On Farms, Hotels, And Restaurants

The US government has ordered immigration authorities to suspend workplace raids and arrests at farms, hotels, and restaurants, The New York Times reported, as disclosed by Euronews.

The number of individuals arrested for immigration violations without accompanying criminal charges or convictions surged from 860 in January to 7,800 this month. I Photo: Immigration and Customs Enforcement X

A directive was reportedly sent to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), instructing agents to avoid such establishments—including meatpacking plants and aquaculture firms.

The decision was communicated via an official email, confirmed by three US officials.

In the email, senior ICE official Tatum King stated: “Effective today, please hold on all work site enforcement investigations/operations on agriculture (including aquaculture and meatpacking plants), restaurants, and operating hotels.”

However, the email clarified that investigations into these industries related to "human trafficking, money laundering, and drug smuggling" should continue.

The announcement comes as new statistics show a sharp rise in immigration-related arrests. The number of individuals arrested for immigration violations without accompanying criminal charges or convictions surged from 860 in January to 7,800 this month.

By contrast, arrests involving individuals with criminal charges or convictions increased at a much slower rate—only 91%.