On Tuesday, President Trump stated that illegal immigrant farm workers would not receive pardons, as Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins mentioned plans to replace deported workers with “healthy” Medicaid recipients.
“There’s no amnesty,” Trump remarked, addressing his approach to support the agricultural sector amidst rising deportation initiatives. “We’re focusing on getting rid of criminals, but we are implementing a work program.”
During a cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump emphasized that farmers would still receive the help they need, but stressed that pardons were not part of the discussion.
Rollins noted that as the agricultural industry shifts towards “automation” and utilizes the “American workforce,” the work program aims to ensure that farmers have adequate labor.
“No amnesty will occur, yet extensive deportations will persist but in a strategic manner,” Rollins added.
Earlier that day, Rollins indicated that new Medicaid labor requirements might include provisions from a recently enacted bill, which could assist farmers in replacing migrant workers.
“There’s been quite a bit of chatter lately, and many have questioned where the president stands regarding his vision for farm labor,” Rollins said at a press conference. “The answer lies in automation and reform within the current governance framework. Plus, consider that the Medicaid program has 34 million healthy adults available for work.”
“There are numerous workers in America,” she reiterated.
The provisions within Trump’s significant legislative proposal stipulate that able-bodied adults, aged 18 to 64, must work at least 80 hours monthly to remain eligible for Medicaid, which offers health insurance to 70 million low-income individuals.
Individuals can meet this requirement through community service, education, or participation in work programs.
During a recent rally in Iowa, Trump hinted at potential plans to help immigrant farmers facing deportation secure their stay in the U.S.
“You know they’ve been working hard for these farmers for years, and we’re going to take action… we’re stepping up for farmers,” Trump expressed to audiences in agricultural states.
“If we were with one of these hardworking individuals on the farm, they would be leaning into the job all day long. We don’t have many who can do that, but they certainly excel,” he noted.
“I don’t want to pursue border security in a manner that removes all our workers from farms,” Trump concluded.
