The Trump Administration is attempting to walk back reports that it is considering an amnesty for at least some illegals, particularly those who are working on the farms. But one of the people allegedly responsible for pushing amnesty just raised a few more questions in the eyes of some MAGA folks.
Trump shocked his supporters by expressing support for legalizing illegal alien farm workers during a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds last Thursday.
Trump appeared to credit his Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for the idea. “You’re the one that brought this whole situation up,” Trump said to Rollins from the stage.
“You had cases where, not here, but just even over the years, where people have worked for a farm, on a farm, for 14, 15 years, and they get thrown out pretty viciously, and we can’t do it,” the President told the crowd. “We’ve got to work with the farmers and people that have hotels and leisure properties too.”
Rollins attempted to calm the waters during a press conference in D.C. on Tuesday by assuring Americans the administration was still committed to fully enforcing immigration law.
However, pay close attention to one word the agriculture secretary uses in her statement.
WATCH:
NOW – Agricultural Secretary Rollins on Trump’s plan to slow illegal farmworkers’ deportation: “There will be no amnesty, the mass deportations continue but in a strategic way.” pic.twitter.com/HjxVxpDFSQ
“I can’t underscore enough that there will be no amnesty, the mass deportations continue, but in a strategic way,” Rollins said. “And we move the (farm) workforce toward automation and 100% American participation.”
This all sounds good, but what did Rollins mean by “strategic?” Does she mean we will put illegal farmworkers on the back burner while focusing on other lawbreakers?
“a strategic way” sounds a lot like bending the knee to big agriculture, why are we not seeing ICE raid every farm in southern California every single day?
The criminal executives of Dole Food Company and other like it should be prosecuted to the fullest extent.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announces plan to secure US farmland from adversaries like China.
US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced on Tuesday the Trump Administration’s plan to secure US farmland from adversaries like China.
Rollins made the announcement Tuesday morning in Washington DC. She was flanked by Attorney General Pam Bondi and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
Rollins also announced that she had terminated contracts or research arrangements between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and 70 scientists who are citizens from countries of concern, like China.
A recent map released in 2024 revealed the alarming trend of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) acquiring vast swaths of American farmland, raising serious national security concerns, Daily Mail reported.
Foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land expanded to approximately 43.4 million acres in 2022, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
According to the USDA, Chinese investors’ ownership of U.S. agricultural land has skyrocketed from merely 13,720 acres in 2010 to an astounding 346,915 acres by 2022 out of the 43 million acres.
Chinese entities hold ownership of farmland across 29 of the 50 U.S. states.
According to the data reviewed by The Gateway Pundit, Canadian investors hold the largest share of foreign-owned agricultural and non-agricultural land in the U.S., owning 32 percent or 14.2 million acres.
Additionally, investors from four other countries—Netherlands (12 percent), Italy (6 percent), the United Kingdom (6 percent), and Germany (5 percent)—together possess another 13 million acres, accounting for 29 percent of all foreign-held land in the U.S.
The remaining 38 percent, or 17.1 million acres, are owned by various other countries. For instance, China owns 346,915 acres, representing just under 1 percent of the foreign-held acres.
Despite Chinese entities owning less than 1 percent of the foreign-held agricultural land in the U.S., the topic has garnered significant attention.
According to USDA:
Chinese primary-investor filers reported owning 346,915 acres of agricultural land as of December 31, 2022.
Two Chinese-owned companies—Brazos Highland Properties, LP and Murphy Brown LLC (Smithfield Foods)—reported 102,345 acres and 97,975 acres, respectively, and were by far the largest Chinese reporters.
Other top Chinese-owned reporters were Murphy Brown of Missouri (Smithfield Foods) (42,716 acres); Harvest Texas, LLC (29,705 acres); and Walton International Group (USA), Inc. (29,437 acres) (Report 10).
These five companies accounted for 87 percent of all reported Chinese holdings. There were no filings directly by the government of China. Chinese investments in U.S. agricultural land are spread across the country (figure 4).
The states with the largest Chinese holdings are Texas (159,640 acres); North Carolina (44,776 acres); Missouri (43,071 acres); Utah (32,447 acres); and Virginia (14,382 acres) (Report 11).
Together, these five states had 85 percent of Chinese filings associated with U.S. agricultural land. In Texas, in particular, long-term leases associated with wind energy investment predominate, while land ownership tends to be more common in other states.
Image courtesy of DailyMail.com
Chinese entities acquiring farmland in close proximity to critical U.S. military installations have sparked growing concerns, posing potential national security risks.
An alarming instance involves a Chinese company, Fufeng USA, acquiring 365 acres of farmland near the Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.
The parcel of land’s location near a US Air Force base that houses sensitive drone technology has lawmakers on Capitol Hill worried about potential espionage by Beijing.
Also, a report by CNN in 2022 revealed China has placed Huawei equipment atop cell towers on purchased farm land near US military bases in the Midwest capable of disrupting service and capturing signals.
“Among the most alarming things the FBI uncovered pertains to Chinese-made Huawei equipment atop cell towers near US military bases in the rural Midwest. According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, the FBI determined the equipment was capable of capturing and disrupting highly restricted Defense Department communications, including those used by US Strategic Command, which oversees the country’s nuclear weapons,” the outlet reported.
The Gateway Pundit reported that starting in 2015, a Chinese real estate development company called China Oceanwide Holdings began buying land on Oahu in the Hawaii Islands just ten miles west of the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor.
The stated intent of the land purchases was to build a luxury hotel and homes, but nothing was ever built, even though China Oceanwide had accumulated land worth over 500 million dollars in the vicinity of Pearl Harbor.
A rising number of states are taking action or have already enacted legislation to prohibit “foreign adversaries” and foreign entities—particularly China—from purchasing farmland.
As of 2024, several U.S. states have enacted or are in the process of enacting laws that restrict or ban foreign ownership of land. These states have primarily targeted countries perceived as national security threats.
Here is a list of 24 states with such restrictions, according to Mother Jones.
Alabama
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Washington
These states have various laws in place, ranging from complete bans on foreign ownership of agricultural land to restrictions based on national security concerns regarding specific countries, such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The motivation behind these laws includes protecting food security, preventing espionage, and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Congress is also advancing legislation that aims to address the issue at the federal level.
“Communist China shouldn’t be allowed to buy another acre of American farmland, nor should we rely upon our top foreign adversary for key parts of our food supply chain. Food security is national security!” Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) wrote on X.
Communist China shouldn’t be allowed to buy another acre of American farmland, nor should we rely upon our top foreign adversary for key parts of our food supply chain.
Hinson has introduced an amendment to the 2024 Farm Bill within the House Agriculture Committee that aims to limit foreign acquisitions of U.S. farmland. She asserts that such measures are crucial for safeguarding American food security, the Daily Mail reported.
“The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is a threat to American democracy. The United States is engaged in a great power struggle with the CCP, and we must respond with tough policies that will protect our farmland and food supply chain,” said Rep. Newhouse.
“We should be taking every action we can to strengthen our domestic production while preventing our nation’s strongest adversaries from having an advantage over our supply chain. I am proud to introduce this legislation alongside many of my House colleagues to keep the CCP from gaining a foothold from within our own borders.”
27-year-old Julian Ryan made a heroic sacrifice, giving his life to save his fiancée, their two young children, and his mother as sudden, catastrophic flash floods swamped their trailer home near the banks of the Guadalupe River.
According to Ryan’s fiancée, Christina Wilson, water began flooding their home shortly after 4 a.m.
“It just started pouring in and we had to fight the door to get it closed to make sure not too much got in,” Wilson told WLOX. “We went back to the room and started calling 911.”
With water rising to waist level, Julian made a desperate decision. He punched through a window to create an escape route, an action that severed a major artery in his arm. Despite repeated 911 calls, first responders were delayed and unable to arrive in time.
As he bled heavily, Julian gathered his strength to comfort his loved ones one last time.
“By six, my husband was dead. He had lost all of his blood. He looked at me and the kids and my mother-in-law and said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all,’” she said.
Within minutes, the water surged in with such force it tore the trailer apart—allowing Christina, the children, and his mother to escape to safety. Ryan’s body was found hours later as floodwaters receded.
Friends and family describe Julian as a warm, selfless man with an infectious smile. “He is the hero in this story,” said sister Connie Salas.
A GoFundMe was launched to help the bereaved family:
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the unexpected and tragic passing of our beloved Julian Ryan on July 4th, 2025. Julian, his fiancé, kids, and mother were awakened when water came rushing into their home. Julian jumped into action to protect and save his family and get them to safety.
Julian gave his life for his family, passing as a true hero. While his family is eternally grateful for his sacrifice, they are shattered by their loss. Julian was a beloved son, father, fiancé, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend to so many, and his sudden departure has left an unfillable void in all our lives.
Julian was a cherished son and devoted parent and fiancé who was dedicated to his family. He was known to have an infectious laugh and unwavering kindness. He touched countless lives with his humor and will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
This unimaginable tragic loss has left his mother, fiancé, brothers, and sister facing not only immense emotional pain but also significant unforeseen financial burden. We are hoping to help alleviate the unforeseen financial burdens that come with such a sudden tragedy.
No one is ever prepared for such a loss, especially one that comes so suddenly. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference and will be profoundly appreciated as the family navigates this heartbreaking time. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this campaign with your networks. Your prayers, thoughts, and support mean the world to us.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity during this incredibly challenging time.
WATCH:
27-year-old man dies while saving his fiancée, children & mom during the Texas flash floods
“I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all,” were Julian Ryan’s last words.
When Ryan realized 911 wouldn’t be able to save them in time as water rushed into the home, he punched… pic.twitter.com/SPAM3OSNgL
