Episode Summary: "I'm Thinking I'm 100% Legal." Then ICE Raided His Company

Introduction

In this gripping episode of The Journal, hosted by Annie Minoff of The Wall Street Journal and Jessica Mendoza of Gimlet, listeners are taken deep into the tumultuous experience of Gary Rohr, CEO of Glen Valley Foods, a Nebraska-based meatpacking company. Released on June 26, 2025, the episode delves into the Trump administration's aggressive deportation policies and their profound impact on businesses reliant on immigrant labor.

The Business: Glen Valley Foods

Gary Rohr has been a stalwart in the meatpacking industry since the 1980s. His company, Glen Valley Foods, produces the popular Gary's Quick Steaks, renowned for their convenience and quality. Produced in their Omaha plant, these steaks are small, thinly sliced pieces that thaw rapidly, catering to a variety of dishes from burritos to Philly cheesesteaks.

"[Gary's Quick Steaks] release in 60 seconds until a pile of thinly sliced steak for burritos, tacos, salads, steak and eggs, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches." [00:48]

Rohr emphasizes the importance of his workforce, primarily composed of Latino immigrants, many of whom have been with the company for over a decade.

"We really, really have a great, great that we think the world of. They've been here forever, and once they come, they stay. They're responsible, they show up on time." [01:21]

The ICE Raid

Despite his efforts to maintain a legally compliant workforce through the E-Verify system, Gary Rohr's company became a target of the Trump administration's intensified deportation campaign. On the morning of June 10, federal agents from ICE and Homeland Security executed a dramatic raid on Glen Valley Foods.

"It was about 9:30 in the morning and ICE and Homeland Security people, they surrounded the building first... We didn't even know it had the building totally surrounded." [01:48]

The raid was swift and forceful, with agents deploying helmets, masks, bulletproof vests, and even a steel ram to enforce entry. The agents arrested approximately 75 employees, alleging the use of fraudulent IDs and stolen Social Security numbers.

"They had helmets on, they had mask on... had a big, big steel ram. And had we not opened up the door up after a couple, three knocks, they were prepared to ram it, break the door down and come in." [06:58]

Aftermath and Business Impact

The immediate aftermath of the raid was chaos and emotional distress. Employees were forcibly removed, leading to a distraught and destabilized workforce. The production line was effectively halved, and subsequent absenteeism among remaining workers further crippled operations.

"We had to contact our customers and tell them what happened, and it's going to take us probably weeks to get back to 100% capacity. That's, that's a lot of loss." [10:46]

As of two weeks post-raid, Glen Valley Foods was operating at a mere 25% capacity, underscoring the severe operational disruptions caused by the enforcement actions.

E-Verify and Legal Compliance

Gary Rohr had relied on the E-Verify system, a government tool designed to verify the legal status of employees. He maintained that he had followed all recommended protocols to ensure his workforce was compliant.

"We are told to continue to E verify. Now." [12:03]

However, the raid revealed discrepancies that questioned the system's reliability. Despite his assurances of legality, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified employees with fraudulent credentials, leading Rohr to express profound frustration with the system's efficacy.

"E Verify doesn't work because it doesn't catch them. We can't manage it. I would not have hired any illegal workers. But E Verify said it's okay." [10:01]

A DHS spokeswoman defended the system's integrity, citing high user satisfaction and a near-perfect accuracy rate, while also reminding employers of their responsibility to ensure the authenticity of employee documentation.

"E Verify consistently receives high marks from users and maintains a, quote, nearly perfect accuracy rate." [10:15]

Broader Trump Administration Policies

The episode contextualizes Glen Valley Foods' predicament within the broader framework of the Trump administration's immigration and labor policies. President Trump had initially promised to protect industries like agriculture and meatpacking by ensuring that jobs were reserved for U.S. citizens.

"We can't take farmers and take all their people and send them back because they don't have maybe what they're supposed to have." [13:38]

However, following a brief pause in ICE operations on specific industries, the administration swiftly reversed its stance, reinstating workplace raids as a central component of its deportation strategy.

"And Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem doubled down, calling workplace raids a cornerstone of Trump's deportation plans." [14:30]

Gary Rohr's Perspective and Challenges

Rohr voices his deep-seated frustration and sense of betrayal by the government's handling of immigration enforcement. He underscores the indispensable role of immigrant workers in his industry and laments the lack of understanding from policymakers.

"He says Americans will not do the job... This is not new. This has been going on since 1982... They're telling me the government doesn't understand that Americans don't want to do this type of work." [15:04]

He also highlights the unintended economic consequences of enforcing stricter labor laws, such as increased operational costs leading to higher prices for consumers and potential inflationary pressures.

"If you pay somebody enough money, they'll do anything. But then what is that going to do? The end product at the retail level... prices will go sky." [16:09]

Conclusions

The episode concludes by highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by Gary Rohr and similar business owners amid shifting and often contradictory immigration policies. The destruction of Glen Valley Foods' production capabilities serves as a poignant example of the tangible impacts of political decisions on everyday businesses and their employees.

"It's been more than two weeks since the raid halted production lines at Gary's plant. Today he's operating at 25% capacity." [18:02]

Notable Quotes

• "E Verify doesn't work because it doesn't catch them. We can't manage it. I would not have hired any illegal workers. But E Verify said it's okay." — Gary Rohr [10:01]

• "They just stormed the building offices, processing floor, grabbing people, putting them in different rooms. People were crying, bawling." — Gary Rohr [08:23]

• "This country was founded on immigration. People coming into this country, I mean, we need these." — Gary Rohr [17:10]

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Journal offers a compelling and humanizing glimpse into the real-world ramifications of national policies on individual businesses and their communities. Through Gary Rohr's experience, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the delicate balance between law enforcement and economic sustainability in industries heavily dependent on immigrant labor.