ICE Raids Rattle Washington Farmers Who Backed Trump’s Immigration Promises

A surge in immigration enforcement activity is being detected on western Washington farms this spring, leaving some agricultural workers facing deportation — and some Trump-supporting farm owners questioning the president’s promises.

At one Whatcom County farm, owners initially allowed ICE agents into their fields after being told agents were searching for “dangerous criminals” among the farmworker population. But what they witnessed changed their perspective.

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Western Washington agriculture advocates say this spring has seen a surge in ICE activity as workers return to the fields.

Kraght, a self-described “right-winger,” says he believed President Trump when he said agents were only going after the “worst of the worst” undocumented immigrants.

“As far as I can tell from what comes out of Trump’s mouth, they’re not supposed to be taking innocent people — good, hardworking, innocent people that we need,” Kraght said. “I’ve been knocked on my butt, I’ll admit it. I’m really disappointed.”

Ben Tindall, executive director of Save Family Farming, said the situation on the ground doesn’t match what the administration is saying publicly.

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