WASHINGTON (PNN) - July 9, 2025 - In the face of growing criticism from the MAGA base, the President Donald J. Trump regime is now walking back previous suggestions that some illegal invaders, specifically those working on farms and in hospitality, could be protected from deportation.
President Trump made remarks last week in Iowa indicating that he is considering protecting some illegals in order to help farmers who are relying on them for labor.
“You had cases where, not here, but just even over the years, where people have worked for a farm, on a farm, for 14, 15 years, and they get thrown out pretty viciously, and we can’t do it,” Trump asserted.
President Trump credited his Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for the idea, stating, “You are the one that brought this whole situation up.”
Even the most ardent Trump supporters quickly responded that this isn’t what they voted for and represents amnesty.
Now Rollins has responded in a press briefing, stating, “I can’t underscore enough that there will be no amnesty, the mass deportations continue, but in a strategic way. We move the (farm) workforce toward automation and 100% American participation,” she added.
Secretary Rollins did not specify what she mean by “strategic”.
Elsewhere during the briefing, Rollins announced a plan to secure US farmland from foreign adversaries like China.
Rollins also noted that she has terminated contracts or research arrangements between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and 70 scientists who are citizens from countries of concern, like China.
According to USDA figures, Chinese investors’ ownership of U.S. agricultural land has skyrocketed from around 14,000 acres in 2010 to close to 350,000 acres over 29 states.