In a surprising shift from his usual hardline stance on immigration, U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a new plan that could allow some undocumented immigrants to stay in the country temporarily—if they have strong backing from their employers.
The proposal, which was revealed during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, April 10, is aimed mainly at addressing labor shortages in key sectors like agriculture, hospitality, and construction. Trump told a group of farmers, “If they have strong recommendations for their farms for certain people, we’re going to let them stay in for a while and work with the farmers.”
This announcement, reported by The Washington Times, marks a rare instance where Trump appears to support a policy that could benefit undocumented immigrants—provided they are seen as valuable workers in industries struggling to find labor.
Trump highlighted the importance of industries that rely heavily on manual labour, saying that the government must “take care of our farmers and hotels and various places where they need the people.” Many of these sectors, especially agriculture, depend on migrant workers—many of whom are in the U.S. without legal documentation.
The former president indicated that the idea could evolve into a form of guest-worker program, where employers would act as sponsors for temporary stays. “A farmer will come in with a letter concerning certain people saying they’re great, they’re working hard,” Trump explained. “We’re going to slow it down a bit for them and then we’re ultimately going to bring them back.”
While Trump acknowledged that the long-term goal would be to help some of these workers gain legal status, he emphasized that the process would be slow and conditional. He was clear that this is not an immediate path to citizenship but rather a temporary solution to help employers retain workers.
“We have to take care of our farmers,” Trump said, implying that a balance must be struck between immigration control and economic needs.
This latest announcement came after a meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who has been working on strategies to encourage undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the country. However, Trump’s latest comments suggest a more flexible approach, at least for those who are deemed useful by their employers.
Trump’s new proposal reflects a growing tension in American politics between tough immigration laws and the practical needs of businesses. While many of his supporters have pushed for stricter immigration control, many business owners—especially in rural and agricultural states—have long complained that such policies hurt their ability to find workers.
The labour shortage has become a pressing issue in the U.S., especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw many workers leave the workforce. Sectors like farming, food processing, hospitality, and construction have all reported difficulty hiring enough workers.
This has led to increased pressure on policymakers, even those like Trump who have built their reputations on strong anti-immigration platforms, to consider more flexible approaches.
Despite the practical motivation behind the plan, experts warn that it could face serious legal and political challenges. Immigration laws in the U.S. are complex, and any plan that allows undocumented immigrants to stay in the country—especially based on employer recommendation—would likely face opposition in Congress and possibly the courts.
Critics may also argue that the plan could be abused, with some employers potentially exploiting immigrant workers or using the system to keep wages low.
Moreover, Trump has not provided detailed guidelines on how the plan would be implemented. Key questions remain unanswered, such as who qualifies as a “valuable worker,” how long they would be allowed to stay, and what legal protections they would have during their stay.
Trump has long been known for his tough stance on immigration. During his presidency, he introduced strict measures such as the construction of a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico, a travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries, and the policy of separating families at the border.
His new proposal, therefore, marks a notable shift—although it still maintains his core message of enforcing immigration laws while offering temporary flexibility to serve U.S. interests.
The idea of a guest-worker program is not new in U.S. politics. Past administrations, both Republican and Democrat, have discussed or implemented similar program, especially to support the agricultural sector. However, these programs have often sparked debate over workers’ rights, fair wages, and the potential for exploitation.
Reactions to Trump’s proposal are likely to be mixed. Business owners and farming communities may welcome the idea as a lifeline in a time of labor shortage. However, immigration hardliners may see it as a betrayal of Trump’s previous promises to crack down on undocumented immigration.
On the other hand, immigrant rights advocates might see it as a small but positive step, while still pushing for broader reforms that would provide a clear and fair path to citizenship.
