Introduction
Immigrants working in hotels, restaurants, and on farms face a new wave of ICE enforcement after a brief pause last week. The Trump administration revoked its limited exemption and will now pursue arrests of unauthorized workers across all industries. This shift removes any safe haven for employers relying on immigrant labor and puts families and businesses at immediate risk. In this article, we explain what changed, who is affected, and how immigrants and employers can protect their rights and stay compliant.
Overview of Policy Change
On June 17, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it would resume enforcement actions against immigrants working in hotels, restaurants, and agricultural businesses. The decision follows a short-lived exemption ICE granted after President Trump praised these workers as “necessary, good, longtime” employees whose roles were “almost impossible” to fill. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin declared there will be “no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals or purposely try to undermine ICE’s efforts.”
This reversal signals that ICE will pursue arrests and detentions of immigrants without regard to their industry or tenure. Employers and workers should prepare for expanded immigration enforcement nationwide.
2. Background for Immigrants in Key Industries
In the United States, immigrants form the backbone of several vital sectors—particularly hospitality, food service, and agriculture. Their contributions keep hotels running smoothly, restaurants open for business, and farms productive year-round.
Hospitality
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Front‑desk and Guest Services: Many hotels depend on immigrants to staff reception desks, manage reservations, and assist guests with check‑in and check‑out. These roles require customer‑service skills and bilingual abilities to serve diverse travelers.
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Housekeeping and Maintenance: Between 25% and 30% of hotel housekeeping staff are non‑citizens, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These workers ensure rooms meet health and safety standards and handle deep‑cleaning tasks that guests never see.
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Back‑of‑House Support: Kitchen porters, laundry attendants, and maintenance technicians—often immigrants—keep operations behind the scenes. Their work prevents service delays and maintains the property’s value.
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Food Service
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Servers and Bartenders: Roughly 18% of waitstaff in full‑service restaurants are foreign‑born. Their language skills and cultural knowledge often enhance guest experiences, especially in urban and tourist markets.
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Culinary Roles: From line cooks to pastry chefs, immigrants bring global recipes and cooking techniques to American menus. In large metropolitan areas, up to 40% of kitchen staff hold work authorizations under H-2B or other visa programs.
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Dish Room and Prep Work: Critical yet less visible, dishwashers and food prep workers—many of whom are unauthorized—handle the bulk of cleaning and chopping tasks. These roles are notoriously difficult to fill with U.S.-born labor, making enforcement pauses a practical necessity for operators.
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Agriculture
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Field Laborers: Migrant immigrants perform planting, weeding, and harvesting across fruits, vegetables, and nuts. An estimated 22% of fieldworkers nationwide are non‑citizens without permanent residence.
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Processing and Packing: After harvest, these workers sort, pack, and load produce for distribution. Farms often hire seasonal H-2A visa holders, but many remain unauthorized, constituting about 15% of the workforce in major growing states like California and Florida.
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Equipment Operators: From tractor drivers to irrigation technicians, a smaller but crucial segment of immigrants operate and maintain heavy farm machinery. Their technical skills prevent crop losses and ensure timely planting and harvesting.
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Why the Exemption Mattered:
Before the temporary pause, ICE raids risked removing thousands of essential workers overnight—jeopardizing hotel operations, restaurant services, and harvest schedules. Even short interruptions can lead to canceled bookings, delayed meals, and rotting crops. Now that ICE has ended the exemption, these industries face renewed uncertainty and must scramble to fill gaps or risk operational collapse.
Details of Reopened ICE Arrests
ICE will no longer exempt certain workplaces. Key points:
| Aspect | Previous Exemption | New Enforcement |
|---|---|---|
| Industries Covered | Hotels, restaurants, agriculture only | All industries, including those |
| Criteria for Exemption | “Good, longtime workers” (per Trump) | Exemption revoked entirely |
| Enforcement Focus | Violent criminals and threats | All unauthorized workers |
| Statement by DHS | N/A | “No safe spaces” (McLaughlin) |
Immigrants in these fields risk detention during site visits. ICE may coordinate with local law enforcement. Arrests can occur without prior notice.
Impact on Immigrants and Employers
Immigrants:
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Face higher risk of workplace raids.
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May be separated from families and lose income.
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Need to verify legal status and maintain documentation.
Employers:
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Risk fines up to $639 per unauthorized worker.
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Should conduct more frequent I‑9 audits.
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May need to adjust recruitment to maintain staffing levels.
A sudden enforcement ramp‑up can disrupt operations. Farms may lose crews during harvest. Hotels and restaurants could shut key services lacking staff.
Legal Rights for Immigrants Facing Arrest
All immigrants, regardless of status, retain certain rights under U.S. law:
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Right to Remain Silent: You may refuse to answer questions beyond identifying information.
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Right to an Attorney: If you cannot afford one, the court will not appoint counsel for immigration court, but you can hire private counsel.
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Right to Know Charges: ICE must present a warrant or notice.
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Right to a Hearing: In removal proceedings, you may present a case for relief.
| Right | Description |
|---|---|
| Remain Silent | Do not volunteer information. |
| Private Counsel | Hire an attorney; public defenders are not assigned in immigration court. |
| Challenge Warrant | Ask to see a valid judicial warrant signed by a judge. |
| Notice to Appear (NTA) | Must be provided before removal proceedings. |
Knowing these rights helps immigrants respond correctly to ICE encounters.
Next Steps for Immigrants and Employers
For Immigrants:
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Carry valid ID or work authorization (e.g., Form I‑766 USCIS).
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Memorize an emergency contact number.
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Keep copies of all immigration documents in a safe place.
For Employers:
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Review and update Form I‑9 files every three years.
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Use E‑Verify where available.
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Train HR staff on recognizing valid work documents.
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Develop a response plan for ICE visits, including legal counsel on standby.
A proactive strategy reduces legal exposure and protects vital staff.
7. Resources and References
Government Websites:
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E‑Verify Program: e-verify.gov
Maple Crest Immigration Law Firm
If you’re an immigrant working in hospitality, food service, agriculture—or any industry—Maple Crest Law can protect your rights and future. Our experienced attorneys will review your case, ensure your documentation is in order, and defend you against ICE actions every step of the way.
