ICE arrests and fear leave South Texas farms short of workers

ICE arrests and fear of detention are making it difficult to hire agricultural workers in Hidalgo County, South Texas. JB Álvarez, who grows jalapeños near the border, has been unable to find more than 40 workers for the past year. He previously assembled crews of 100 to 150.

Álvarez said some crew members were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while others stay home because they are afraid to go out. The labor shortage also affects construction. Benigno Meléndez, who owns a company in Weslaco, says his business has fallen by half, attributing the decline to both worker shortages and higher material costs.

Meléndez said he and other builders installed fences and private-property signs around job sites to prevent agents from entering. Although he voted for Donald Trump, he now says that decision was wrong.

A 54-year-old Mexican construction worker identified by the pseudonym Pablo said he limits his travel to the route between home and work. He lives in McAllen with his wife and two children. He said he cannot go anywhere and has no social life, describing how fear of detention affects activities outside work.

The concern also appears in electoral politics. A poll conducted from August 26 through September 3 found that 61 percent of surveyed Hispanic voters in Texas had an unfavorable view of ICE. The result alone does not determine election outcomes. Mayra Flores blamed Republican difficulties on communication failures and a lack of local advisers. Hispanic Business Council leader Javier Palomarez said immigration policies would push South Texas voters away from Republicans.