June 17, 2025 — Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reversed internal guidance issued earlier this month that had temporarily paused workplace immigration raids at farms, hotels, restaurants, and other labor-intensive sectors. According to a report by Reuters, immigration officials were informed on Monday that enforcement operations should proceed as planned, ending a brief and informal suspension that had not been publicly announced.
This change affects Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, including those under its Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division, which conducts worksite enforcement actions. As of June 17, ICE agents have resumed workforce raids targeting unauthorized labor in agriculture, hospitality, meatpacking, and related industries.
A Brief Pause, Quickly Reversed
Just a few days earlier, an internal email reviewed by Reuters, a senior U.S. official, and another source indicated that the Trump administration had directed ICE to temporarily pause these workplace operations. The rationale for the pause was not fully detailed, but reports suggested it was intended to reassess operational priorities and resource allocation.
However, on June 17, that guidance was formally reversed. ICE leadership reportedly held a call with agency officials confirming that worksite raids should continue, including at farms, food processing plants, hotels, and restaurants. DHS has not issued a public statement as of this writing.
Enforcement Focus and Policy Background
The reinstated enforcement strategy aligns with the President Trump’s broader immigration agenda, which includes increasing deportations and scaling back protections implemented during the Biden administration. While Trump has framed the effort as targeting individuals with criminal records, recent reports have indicated that many of those detained in recent raids had no prior offenses.
The Biden-era workplace enforcement strategy had emphasized penalizing employers who knowingly hired unauthorized workers, rather than targeting the workers themselves. The current shift reintroduces large-scale workplace operations that may lead to sudden disruptions in industries with high concentrations of immigrant labor.
Implications for Employers and HR Teams
Industries such as agriculture, hospitality, food production, and construction may be especially impacted by renewed ICE activity. Employers in these sectors should ensure full compliance with I-9 employment eligibility verification and retain proper documentation for all employees.
Legal experts also recommend that HR departments and DEI employers familiarize themselves with best practices around employee communication and know-your-rights information. While employers are required to comply with federal law, they must also be cautious not to discriminate against workers based on perceived immigration status, language, or ethnicity.
What Comes Next
As of now, there is no formal policy memo or executive order publicly outlining the full scope of renewed enforcement. However, the reversal of last week’s pause and the reinstatement of worksite raids indicate a shift back toward higher-volume operations.
DHS and ICE are expected to continue adjusting their enforcement priorities in the coming weeks. Employers are encouraged to stay informed through official government channels and review existing labor and compliance policies with legal counsel if needed.
Source: Reuters – U.S. reverses guidance pausing ICE raids on farms, hotels and restaurants