Trump Says Immigrants ‘Do It Naturally,’ Revives Racist Labor Myths

August 7, 2025

President Donald Trump has ignited controversy with his statement that undocumented immigrants are "naturally" suited for difficult farm labor while claiming people in "inner cities" don't do such work. During a CNBC interview, Trump described undocumented laborers as "very special people" while simultaneously promoting policies of mass deportation and expanded third-country agreements. His comments echo his previous claim to Black journalists that immigrants were "taking Black jobs," despite federal law prohibiting employment discrimination based on race.

Who is affected

Undocumented immigrants, primarily of Hispanic descent
Black Americans, particularly those in "inner cities"
Farmers who employ immigrant labor
Americans across all employment sectors
Vulnerable communities targeted by ICE raids

What action is being taken

The Trump administration is conducting mass deportations
ICE is carrying out raids across farms and food processing plants
Trump's administration is expanding third-country agreements, sending immigrants to nations like Rwanda and Eswatini
Labor rights advocates and critics are speaking out against Trump's rhetoric

Why it matters

Trump's comments perpetuate racist stereotypes about both immigrants and Black Americans
The rhetoric assigns certain types of labor to specific racial or ethnic groups, echoing a legacy of slavery and segregation
These statements potentially influence policies that target vulnerable populations
Trump's contradictory position acknowledges farmers' need for immigrant labor while simultaneously targeting that workforce for removal
The comments represent a continuation of Trump's pattern of pitting racial groups against each other

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint