"ICE has raided us anywhere between 10 to 15 times throughout different subdivisions. Now, worksites across the Rio Grande Valley have ground to a halt, and that's got some Trump supporters in this midterm battleground changing their minds. These people would just show up to our job sites with no warrants, taking all our workers, even the workers with proper documentation."
"We are seeing a reduction of almost 60 percent of our volume on the residential side of our business. We applied for bankruptcy in December. We saw a drop in sales of about $5.3 million. For 40 years, we had never laid anybody off, and until this happened, we were forced to."
"I've supported Mr. Trump in every election that he's been a part of. We just never thought that this would come and affect us in the construction industry, but most importantly, affect our economy here in South Texas."
ICE raids targeting construction sites across South Texas have disrupted the industry significantly, with federal agents conducting 10-15 raids across different subdivisions. Construction companies heavily dependent on immigrant workers, including undocumented laborers, face workforce shortages that have ground worksites to a halt. Business owners report dramatic declines in revenue, with some experiencing 60% volume reductions and forced layoffs after decades without them. Even Trump supporters in the region express frustration, as immigration enforcement priorities conflict with economic stability. The raids have created widespread fear affecting not only construction but also local retail businesses experiencing reduced customer traffic and sales.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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