Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The trade association representing U.S. restaurants is asking President Trump for “targeted relief” from his immigration crackdown.
Why it matters: The president recently signaled a willingness to cut some slack for farms and hotels, saying “our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them.”
Driving the news: The National Restaurant Association sent a letter to Trump dated July 1 saying the industry also needs a break.
- “As you recognize, the workforce challenges facing farms and hotels also extend to the restaurant industry,” National Restaurant Association CEO Michelle Korsmo said in a letter co-signed by state hospitality associations and obtained by Axios.
- “Restaurant operators, farms, and hotels rely on longtime, law-abiding workers in order to better serve our national food and hospitality supply chain.”
Zoom in: The letter called for Trump to “partner with our industry to implement targeted workforce solutions” and “consider deferred action with work authorization on a select basis for long-serving employees who pass background checks, pay taxes, and meet rigorous vetting standards.”
- It would “provide continuity and workforce stability” for the 77% of restaurants that “struggle to hire and retain staff,” the association said.
State of play: The administration recently resumed Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids on hotels and farms after a brief pause, according to NBC News.
- But Trump told Fox News last week that he’s developing “a temporary pass” for agricultural workers who pay taxes and don’t commit crimes.
- The White House had no immediate comment on the association’s letter Thursday morning.
