Trump Takes On Conservative Supports Over His Amnesty Push for Illegal Alien Workers
President Donald Trump has stirred controversy within his own conservative base after revealing plans to propose legislation that would protect certain illegal immigrants currently working in America’s agriculture and hospitality industries.
Speaking during a recent stop in Iowa, Trump emphasized his desire to shield these workers from deportation, citing their roles in sectors “Americans don’t want to do,” while simultaneously labeling opponents of this approach as “serious radical right people.”
Trump’s remarks have prompted widespread outrage among supporters who have long viewed the former president as a staunch opponent of illegal immigration. Conservative commentators and grassroots activists have taken to social media, accusing Trump of wavering on one of his signature policy positions. Many are calling the move a “betrayal,” with some warning that any legislation resembling amnesty would be unacceptable to the conservative movement.
In a video circulated by The Gateway Pundit, Trump can be seen saying, “You need people for the farms. You need people for the hotels. You need people. They’re here. They’re going to be here.” The former president then took aim at critics from the right: “And you have to let them stay. You can’t go around being the most tough, mean person. You got to be smart… And you’ve got some people who are serious radical right people, and they don’t want anybody coming in.”
Trump’s remarks reflect a notable shift in tone from the rhetoric that helped fuel his meteoric rise in 2016. Back then, he famously campaigned on building a border wall, ending catch-and-release policies, and putting “America First” when it came to job protection. Now, critics argue that this latest proposal signals a softening on the very immigration issues that once defined his political identity.
Supporters like conservative activist Laura Loomer blasted Trump’s position on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Donald Trump is now openly advocating for AMNESTY. For ILLEGALS. For FARM WORKERS. This is a total betrayal.” Loomer went on to accuse the former president of abandoning the America First movement and warned that such a move could depress conservative voter enthusiasm heading into 2026 and beyond.
Trump appeared to anticipate the backlash, attempting to explain his reasoning by emphasizing the practical labor needs of specific industries. “You can’t run a farm without people. You’re not going to get Americans to do that,” he said. “We’re going to make it so they can stay, they can work, and we’re going to do it the right way.”
Still, many conservatives argue that this reasoning ignores broader national concerns, such as the strain illegal immigration places on healthcare, education, housing, and law enforcement resources. Critics contend that by legitimizing those who broke immigration law to begin with, Trump is offering a de facto reward for illegal behavior—one that will only incentivize more unlawful crossings in the future.
Eric Thompson, a conservative commentator and podcast host, expressed deep concern about the direction Trump appears to be heading. “We can’t solve our labor issues by compromising our borders,” Thompson said. “True leadership means standing firm on principles, even when the pressure mounts. Amnesty didn’t work under Reagan, and it won’t work now. If we don’t defend our national sovereignty and uphold the rule of law, we cease to be a nation.”
Further complicating the matter is the political optics of the term “amnesty,” which Trump seemed to dodge during his comments. While he did not use the word directly, the implication of granting work status or legal protections to people residing in the country illegally has fueled accusations that he is engaging in the very same political gamesmanship he once condemned.
A report from Yahoo News noted Trump’s attempts to walk a political tightrope: appeasing agricultural and business interests that rely heavily on illegal labor while trying to avoid alienating his America First base. But as reactions have made clear, many believe this balancing act is coming at the expense of core conservative values.
The tension highlights a growing rift between populist nationalists and the more business-friendly wing of the GOP, with Trump now appearing to lean closer to the latter than many had expected. Some analysts believe this move could alienate voters who saw Trump as the last bulwark against a complete erosion of U.S. immigration enforcement.
At the same time, Trump’s team has yet to release any draft language for the proposed legislation, leaving open questions about what protections would be included and whether a path to legal residency—or even citizenship—might be part of the plan. Until those details are made public, speculation will likely continue to dominate political discourse on both sides of the debate.
For now, one thing is clear: Trump’s latest remarks have exposed a sharp ideological divide within the conservative movement. Whether he is able to mend the fissure or deepen it heading into the next election cycle remains to be seen. What cannot be denied is the growing tension between principle and pragmatism—a tension now on full display in the immigration fight Trump once led, but may now be redefining.
