GOP Senator Tells Trump to Rethink ICE Arrests in Farm Country
You have lived in the same rural town for 15 years, worked on a ranch, and never been arrested. That did not protect hundreds of immigrants in West Virginia, where ICE detained more than 593 people in January — about three-quarters of whom had no criminal record. Now a Republican senator and close Trump ally is publicly calling on the administration to step back and reconsider its tactics.
You have lived in the same rural community for 15 years. You work on a ranch, pay your bills, and have no criminal record. Then ICE shows up. That scenario played out hundreds of times in West Virginia earlier this year — and now a Republican senator is publicly telling the Trump administration it needs to stop and rethink.
Senator Jim Justice (R-WV), a close political ally of President Trump, told Politico that the administration should "step back" and admit it may be doing something wrong. His comments came after the ACLU of West Virginia found that about three-quarters of the more than 593 people arrested by ICE in the state during "Operation Country Roads" in January had no criminal record. "Before you know it, you get people that get carried away in their job... and all of a sudden, then you're dragging people away that have lived on your street corner for 15 years," Justice said.
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Ranchers and Dairy Farmers Sound the Alarm
Justice also sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee, and his criticism follows a joint statement from three major livestock groups — the Kansas Livestock Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, and Texas Cattle Feeders Association. They said ICE operations have had "a massive chilling effect on the legal, documented, skilled workers" who support beef production. Rick Naerebout, CEO of the Idaho Dairymen's Association, told NPR that a focused enforcement push in agriculture "could really harm our ability to produce food to feed ourselves." West Virginia alone is home to more than 22,700 ranchers, most of them family-owned operations.
Justice is not alone among Republicans. Florida Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar recently ran a campaign ad telling Trump his "immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far." These voices signal growing unease within the GOP as midterm elections approach — but they have not yet changed official policy. ICE operations in rural areas continue, and immigrants in agricultural communities remain at risk of arrest regardless of their work history or ties to the community.
What to Do
- Know your rights during an ICE encounter: you have the right to remain silent and the right to refuse entry into your home without a signed judicial warrant. Do not sign any documents before speaking with an immigration lawyer.
- If you or a family member is detained, contact an immigration attorney immediately. Ask about a bond hearing — a proceeding where a judge decides whether you can be released while your case continues.
- If you work in agriculture and have valid work authorization (such as a work permit, also called an EAD, or an H-2A visa), keep copies of those documents accessible and separate from your home in case of a sudden arrest.
- Connect with local legal aid organizations or your nearest ACLU affiliate. In states like West Virginia, these groups are actively tracking ICE activity and may be able to help.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Your Rights During an ICE Encounter”.
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Even if you have no criminal record, you can still be detained and placed in removal proceedings if ICE believes you lack valid immigration status. At a bond hearing, your attorney can present evidence of your community ties, employment, and family to argue for release — so document everything now. If you were arrested during an operation like this and believe your rights were violated, an attorney can also challenge the basis of the arrest itself. Consult an immigration attorney before any interaction with ICE if at all possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE arrest me if I have no criminal record?
Yes. Having no criminal record does not automatically protect you from ICE detention. ICE can arrest anyone it believes is in the US without valid immigration status, regardless of their history in the community.
What should I do if ICE comes to my door?
Do not open the door unless ICE shows a signed judicial warrant (not just an administrative warrant). You have the right to remain silent. Do not sign any documents. Ask to speak with an immigration lawyer immediately.
What is a bond hearing and how can it help me?
A bond hearing is a court proceeding where an immigration judge decides whether a detained person can be released while their case is ongoing. Your attorney can present evidence — like your work history, family ties, and lack of criminal record — to argue for your release.
Does it matter that some Republicans are criticizing these ICE operations?
Politically, it signals growing pressure on the administration. But as of now, official ICE policy has not changed. Do not assume that political criticism means enforcement has stopped in your area — take protective steps regardless.