By Leah Douglas
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said on Tuesday that there will be “no amnesty” for agricultural workers from the Trump administration’s efforts to deport all immigrants in the country illegally.
The farm sector has warned that mass deportation of farm workers would disrupt the U.S. food supply. The administration of President Donald Trump in June signaled it might pause raids on some farm worksites before reversing course.
Rollins said the administration wants a 100% American workforce and suggested some people receiving government aid could replace immigrant workers.
“Ultimately, the answer on this is automation, also some reform within the current governing structure. And then also, when you think about, there are 34 million able-bodied adults in our Medicaid program. There are plenty of workers in America,” she said at a press conference outside the Department of Agriculture headquarters.
Rollins also said at the press conference that the USDA will curb farmland purchases by “foreign adversaries,” including China.
Rollins said she will be a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, “as of this afternoon.”
(Reporting by Leah DouglasEditing by Marguerita Choy)
