Several members of California’s legislature, more than two dozen in total, are calling for an end to the government’s immigrant raids in the state. They are attempting to convince their Republican colleagues in the legislature to pressure Donald Trump to start the raids!
The lawmakers claim that the measures have been indiscriminate and not done in the focused way that was initially promised. They argue that they could have a severely negative impact on the state’s economy. California has the world’s fourth-largest economy, behind the United States, China and Germany.
Trump Had Promised the Raids Would Only Target the Most Violent of Criminals
Immigration is a major issue for President Donald Trump, perhaps even his biggest issue. All throughout his campaign, Trump promised his supporters that there would be massive deportations once he took over. And Trump has made good on his promise, deporting tens of thousands of migrants.
There are worries that the people these raids are targeting are not only the most violent criminals, as the President has once claimed. It is also catching immigrants who work hard jobs that are very difficult to staff and who are benefiting the economy.
Are The Raids Targeting the Right Migrants
In some industries, especially hospitality and farming, immigrants make up a large percentage of the workers. According to one report, of the two million immigrants working in the agricultural sector, only half of them are doing so with legal status.
Many of the raids have taken place in Democratic strongholds in California and have focused on both the farming and hospitality industries. This led to furious reactions and protests in the state. Trump responded to the demonstrations in San Francisco by sending in the National Guard, further politicizing the issue.
Trump Has a History of Hiring Undocumented Labor
Trump is familiar with employing undocumented immigrants, as he himself has done so. In 2019, the Washington Post revealed that 12 undocumented migrants had worked at a Trump Golf Course for years, and they said that their managers were aware of their status.
Following the report, an additional 18 migrant workers were first from Trump-owned golf courses. At that point, Eric Trump announced that the clubs would be using the E-Verify system during their hiring process. The Trump Organization has also made heavy use of H-2A and H-2B visas to bring in temporary help at their wineries and golf clubs.
The Targets Were Originally Violent Criminals
As soon as he took office, Donald Trump got to work on his plan for mass deportations. At the start, it was simple for the White House to find people with a criminal record and send them back to their home country.
In May, the strategy from the White House seemed to change. From inauguration day to mid-May, nearly half of those deported (44%) had a criminal conviction on their record, with more than 30% having pending charges against them. But since mid-May, 44% of the people arrested by ICE had no criminal history.
Some Lawmakers Blame Stephen Miller For the Government’s Actions
Stephen Miller is one of the most controversial members of Donald Trump’s cabinet and is one of a few people to serve the President in both his first and second terms. Miller has earned a reputation as an immigration hardliner who also has plenty of pull with Trump.
It is rumored that Miller is behind the push to start deporting more migrants regardless of whether they have criminal records or not. According to the Wall St. Journal, this is exactly what happened as Miller allegedly ordered increased arrests no matter the status of detainees.
Trump Reversed Course on What Industries Would Be Target For Raids
Shortly after the raids began, Donald Trump began to hear from business owners about how they were affecting them. The country heavily relies on migrant workers to run efficiently, especially when it comes to industries like farming, hospitality and dining.
Realizing this, Trump said in mid-June that the raids would stop targeting both the agricultural and hospitality industries. He, of course, has employed migrants in both fields. But this declaration did not last long as the administration again focused on deporting people in large numbers.
California is a Very Important Agricultural State
California is a massive state, and its size allows crops of all kinds to flourish. While the country has 4% of the nation’s farms, it produces 10% of the country’s agricultural output. Many items grown in California are considered high-value crops that add extra value to the economy. Among these are pistachios, almonds and wine grapes.
A large percentage of the workers on California farms are migrants, and an estimated 50-70% of them are undocumented. Some of the migrant workers are also on the farm courtesy of H-2A visas and have been here for several years.
Democrats Are Urging Republicans To Do What Is Best for the State
Considering how important hospitality and farming is to the state, California is more impacted by the raids than most. And Democrats are saying that the raids could cost the state up to one in three workers in California could be arrested.
The raids are already having an impact, as farm owners report difficulty staffing their properties.
As the raids continue, the economic problems will only get worse. Democrats think Republicans should take that into consideration and appeal to Donald Trump.
Conclusion
Immigration is a core issue for Trump and he has to walk a tightrope on the issue within his party. Many business owners who would support Trump want to be able to hire undocumented labor, as workers provide high-quality work at a very low cost.
Still, Trump wants the optics of countless immigrants being deported, considering how important the issue is for him. The president has shown a willingness to plow forward with things that aren’t working rather than being embarrassed by going back on his word. The next few months of immigration should be a sign of how things will go throughout his term.