GOP Sen. Criticizes Trump Stopping Immigration Enforcement Operations For Some Workers: 'I Don't Think We Should Pull Back'

Republican Senator Tom Cotton criticized President Donald Trump's decision to shield some migrant workers from deportations, especially those working in industries that could be more heavily impacted by enforcement operations.

Speaking to CBS News, Cotton said he doesn't think there shouldn't be any "pull back back on any kind of enforcement" and that the country needs "robust worksite enforcement."

"I think worksite enforcement in all industries needs to be able to move forward. And I think ICE agents on the front lines need the support of political leadership," Cotton added.

The statement after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed there would be a change in deportation policies after Trump hinted so last week.

In a publication on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said "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 from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace."

"In many cases the Criminals allowed into our Country by the VERY Stupid Biden Open Borders Policy are applying for those jobs. This is not good. We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming!" he added.

Following the statement, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the agency "will follow the president's direction and continue to work to get the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens off of America's streets."

The change in tune took place last week, especially after being illustrated by a scene captured in California, where two agents could be seen chasing a man through a farm before taking him down.

Some Republicans have also been voicing concern about the extent of operations. In California, Rep. David Valadao said last Tuesday he remains "concerned about ongoing ICE operations throughout CA and will continue" conversations "with the administration —urging them to prioritize the removal of known criminals over the hardworking people who have lived peacefully in the Valley for years."

Valadao is among the most vulnerable Republicans in the Lower House, not only due to potential backlash from those opposed to the raids. He also supported a recent bill aimed to address critical labor shortages in the U.S. agricultural sector through a combination of legalization for undocumented farmworkers and reforms to the H-2A guestworker visa program.

The bill, led by Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), comes amid warnings from growers that labor shortages could lead to rising food prices, disrupted supply chains, and long-term harm to domestic agriculture.