As the Kentucky Derby approaches, the horse racing industry is urging President Donald Trump and Congress to take swift action on immigration reform. Business leaders gathered in Louisville on Thursday and called upon the administration to prioritize a legal pathway for immigrant workers.

Why It Matters

The gathering, held ahead of the Kentucky Derby, highlighted the key role immigrant labor plays in the equine industry, from the backstretch workers who care for horses to the skilled professionals who make the race possible.

Trump has vowed to carry out the largest mass deportation operation in United States history. However, the policy has sparked concerns about its potential ripple effects on the economy.

What To Know

Trump has suggested that undocumented immigrants working in industries like agriculture and hospitality could voluntarily self-deport and return legally, as long as their employers vouch for them.

“We have to take care of our farmers, the hotels and, you know, the various places where they tend to, where they tend to need people,” Trump said at a Cabinet meeting on April 10.

“So a farmer will come in with a letter concerning certain people, saying they’re great, they’re working hard. We’re going to slow it down a little bit for them, and then we’re going to ultimately bring them back. They’ll go out. They’re going to come back as legal workers,” he continued.

Trump’s remarks have garnered attention within the horse racing community.

American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) CEO Rebecca Shi emphasized the importance of immigrant labor, particularly for the Kentucky Derby, one of the most prestigious events in the sport.

“From hot walkers to exercise riders, groomers, and farriers, skilled immigrant workers are the backbone of the horse racing industry. Their contributions help generate $177 billion for the American economy and are crucial to the Kentucky Derby’s success every year, but the immigration system is failing them,” Shi said in a statement shared with Newsweek.

Dale Romans, president of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, also voiced concern, stressing immigrants’ critical role in the sport.

“Horses can’t get on the track without the right workers behind them. Seventy-eight percent of backstretch workers are immigrants; the industry cannot survive without them,” he said in a statement.

“We are prepared to work with President Trump and Congress and to be at the table to create a legal process for the farming and equine industries,” he added.

The American Immigration Council projects that the president’s mass removal policy could slap a one-time cost of $315 billion on the country. Furthermore, removing 1 million individuals yearly could lead to annual expenses reaching up to $88 billion.

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most star-studded events in the U.S., drawing a crowd of fans, athletes, and celebrities to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, each year. According to the Derby’s official site, an estimated 150,000 attendees are expected to flock to the venue for the event on May 3.

Oscar Gonzales, vice chairman of the California Horse Racing Board, stressed the importance of reform as the Derby nears.

“The Derby is the culmination of months of tireless work and preparation to deliver one of the finest events in the world,” he said in a statement. “We have a real opportunity to make meaningful progress toward commonsense immigration reform that can protect the livelihoods of our horse trainers and our industry at large.”

In the equine sector, Latinos and immigrants represent 78 percent of backstretch workers and 70 percent of jockeys.

Meanwhile, immigrants account for 72 percent of the workforce driving agriculture’s $1.5+ trillion industry, according to ABIC.

“President Trump’s recent comments indicating a desire to create a more streamlined process for agricultural workers is much needed to ensure our industry can thrive. We now call on Congress to prioritize action to not just talk about immigration reform, but actually do something to create meaningful change,” General Manager of Monterey Mushrooms Joe Stave said in a statement.

The ABIC warns that implementing Trump’s cornerstone policy could decrease agricultural production by $30 billion to $60 billion.

What People Are Saying

American Business Immigration Coalition CEO Rebecca Shi said in a statement shared with Newsweek: “We support President Trump’s comment about creating a legal process for law-abiding farm workers to contribute and grow the horse racing industry for decades to come.”

Equine immigration attorney Will Velie said in the statement: “The immigration process is unnecessarily complex and bureaucratic. Federal immigration policy needs to meet the needs of the moment, and the horse racing industry desperately needs skilled workers to ensure its success.”

National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association CEO Eric Camelback said in the statement: “As the largest Thoroughbred horsemen’s organization, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association remains committed to prioritizing American workers whenever possible, recognizing that immigrant workers are also essential to our growth. We need lawmakers to prioritize legislation to streamline legal status for this population, and we are eager to partner with the President and Congress.”

What Happens Next

The Kentucky Derby is scheduled to take place on May 3.