President Donald Trump just slammed the brakes on ICE raids targeting farms, hotels, and restaurants. This surprising pivot, driven by industry pleas, reveals a rare moment of pragmatism in the administration’s immigration playbook. Yet, it’s stirring tension among hardline loyalists who crave unrelenting enforcement.

Trump’s decision, confirmed by three U.S. officials, pauses ICE operations at worksites like agriculture, hospitality, and meatpacking plants, as the Daily Mail reports. The move follows mounting pressure from farmers and hoteliers desperate to avoid labor shortages. It’s a stark contrast to the administration’s earlier zeal for mass deportations.

The order came Thursday via an email from ICE’s Tatum King to regional leaders. Agents were told to spare “noncriminal collaterals”—undocumented workers without criminal records. This shift blindsided ICE, which had been ramping up raids nationwide.

Agriculture’s plea sways Trump

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins played a pivotal role in swaying Trump. Farmers warned that deportations were gutting their workforce, threatening crops and livelihoods. Rollins’ influence underscores the economic weight of industries reliant on migrant labor.

Trump took to Truth Social, acknowledging the plight of farmers and hotel workers. “Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long-time workers away,” he posted. Sounds reasonable, but it’s a head-scratcher for those who cheered his border hawk persona.

At a press conference, Trump doubled down, calling these workers “great” despite their legal status. “We can’t take farmers and take all their people and send them back,” he said. This empathy clashes with the fiery rhetoric that once defined his base’s expectations.

ICE agents caught off guard

ICE agents, fresh off orders to intensify arrests, were stunned by the new guidance. Tatum King’s email admitted the pause would slash the number of potential arrest targets.

“We are eliminating a significant # of potential targets,” King wrote, signaling a dramatic policy U-turn.

The Department of Homeland Security quickly fell in line, vowing to follow Trump’s directive. Spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin insisted the focus remains on “criminal illegal aliens.”

But scaling back raids on noncriminal migrants suggests a softer touch -- at least for now.

Meanwhile, anti-ICE protests have erupted, with Los Angeles seeing a week of demonstrations. The public’s outrage reflects the growing tension over immigration enforcement. Trump’s pause might cool some tempers, but it’s unlikely to silence the critics.

Miller’s hardline push remains

Inside the White House, Stephen Miller remains a relentless force for mass deportations. He’s pushing for 3,000 daily ICE arrests, targeting spots like Home Depot and 7-Eleven. Miller’s vision of an enforcement juggernaut grates against Trump’s newfound restraint.

On May 20, Miller berated ICE leaders, calling them “horrible” and demanding more aggressive action. “Why aren’t you at Home Depot?” he reportedly snapped. His frustration highlights a rift within the administration’s immigration strategy.

Trump’s base, fed on promises of border security, may bristle at this course correction. The pause risks alienating those who see any leniency as a betrayal of the MAGA ethos. Yet, Trump’s nod to economic realities shows a calculated pivot, not a surrender.

Balancing economics with enforcement

The hospitality and agriculture sectors, vital to America’s economy, rely heavily on undocumented labor.

Deporting these workers could cripple businesses already struggling post-pandemic. Trump’s decision reflects a grudging admission that ideology can’t trump practicality.

Still, the administration insists criminals remain in the crosshairs. “We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT,” Trump posted. It’s a tightrope walk -- appeasing industries while keeping the law-and-order crowd at bay.

This pause isn’t a policy overhaul but a tactical retreat. With Miller breathing down ICE’s neck and protests flaring, Trump’s juggling act is far from over. For now, farmers and hoteliers can breathe easier, but the immigration debate remains a powder keg.