President Donald Trump, left, announced a new program for immigrant farmworkers. (Apu GOMES / AFP, left, AP Photo/Evan Vucci, right.)
"We don't want to do [border security] where we take all of the workers off the farms," Trump added. "We want the farms to do great."
According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Iowa is the nation's second-largest agricultural exporting state.
While announcing the new plan, Trump cited cases he had heard of when migrants who have worked on farms for 15 years "get thrown out pretty viciously."
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"We can't do that," Trump added. "We got to work with the farmers and people that have hotels and leisure properties."
Earlier this week, when Trump previously hinted at the new immigration exemption for farmers, he also suggested the move could be implemented for workers in the hospitality industry, as well.
Hank Scott, owner of Long and Scott Farms in Mount Dora, Florida, looks on as his crew harvests this spring's crop of cucumbers. (Robert Sherman, Fox News)
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The president noted Thursday evening that the move will put farmers "in charge" and ultimately the responsibility for any problems that arise will fall to their feet.
"If the farmers don't do a good job, we'll throw them the hell out of the country. We'll let the guys – we'll let the illegals stay, and we'll throw the farmers the hell out," Trump said. "Okay, get ready, farmer, I'm telling you."
Fox News Digital's Cameron Arcand contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-pitches-plan-allowing-farmers-vouch-illegal-immigrant-workers-facing-deportation