Texas Latinos turn away from Trump as ICE crackdown prompts concern ahead of midterms

Workers face new protections

Benny Melendez runs a small construction company in McAllen, near the U.S.-Mexico border. He says he has taken drastic steps to protect his immigrant employees. Melendez said fencing at his job sites is intended to keep ICE agents from arresting workers and to require judicial warrants before agents enter. He said he regrets voting for both Biden and Trump, adding that neither party is working for people like him.

Border voters reassess Trump

Some Latino voters who backed Trump in 2024 are disillusioned by his deportation campaign. A CBS News poll found nearly 60% of Latinos think the administration has deported more people than they expected.

Democrats hope those concerns will help them in key November midterm races as they try to retake control of Congress. Texas will test that strategy: Trump and Republicans made major gains among Latinos in 2024, particularly in southern border communities affected by migration under the Biden administration.

McAllen mayor warns Republicans

Javier Villalobos, McAllen’s Republican mayor, said his party could lose some of its support in Latino border communities. He called concerns about ICE’s campaign the top issue among his constituents.

Villalobos said residents had supported stronger border security and the deportation of violent criminals living illegally in the United States. But he said many now view ICE’s actions as targeting the Hispanic community and that the campaign has created fear, including among American citizens.

Homan defends enforcement role

White House border czar Tom Homan dismissed concern about the political effects of ICE criticism from some Republicans. Asked about the issue by CBS News, he said his responsibility was to secure the border and enforce immigration law.

A woman quoted in the report said she expected deportations, but not of innocent people or hardworking people. The report gives no name for her.