President Trump to issue executive order to protect farm workers

President Trump is taking a stand for farm workers who may be in the country illegally. He says he will be issuing an order soon aimed at keeping farm workers in the fields.

The President did not elaborate on what his order would entail, but it comes after several reports in California where ICE was taking illegal farm workers into custody. President Trump had previously suggested farm workers would be safe, but would need to return to their home countries first if they were here illegally. One California Representative welcomes the plan, saying farm workers are the backbone of the ag industry.

The message comes after immigration crackdowns elsewhere in the country. Earlier this week, ICE agents arrested 70 workers from a meatpacking plant in Omaha. The agency says this was the largest bust in Nebraska since the President’s crackdown began. Officials say that during the operation, several officers were assaulted by those being taken into custody.

Related Stories
Rural population growth supports long-term stability of the ag workforce.
Texas rancher says illegal border crossings have slowed significantly, with fewer encounters reported over the past year.
Labor supply may shift, but uncertainty remains for producers.
Hiring may ease slightly, but labor shortages remain persistent.
Reduced driver supply may increase freight costs this season.
New wage rules improve accuracy but may still raise labor costs.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Wayne Cockrell with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association joined us to discuss preparedness, producer awareness, and the industry’s response to New World screwworm concerns.
President Donald Trump speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, addressing SNAP spending, tariff threats against Europe, market reactions, and the upcoming USMCA review.
From meatpacking settlements to landmark NEPA rulings, Roger McEowen outlines the top legal developments in 2025 that will shape agriculture in the years ahead.
Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation joined us to review new policies and regulations supporting the dairy industry and what they mean for the year ahead.
Despite rising costs and growing food insecurity, meat demand remained strong in 2025 as higher-income consumers offset cutbacks elsewhere. Economists break down the K-shaped economy, upcoming USDA cattle reports, livestock production outlooks, and renewed debate over beef imports and country-of-origin labeling heading into 2026.
Corn growers are turning to ethanol, E15 expansion, and export markets to help absorb record supplies and stabilize prices. Farm leaders discuss low-carbon ethanol demand, flex-fuel vehicle challenges, input costs, and the role of USMCA as producers look for market relief in the year ahead.