Henry Cuellar Calls for Targeted ICE Enforcement in South Texas

Congressman Henry Cuellar (D) said recent immigration enforcement operations are creating labor shortages that are affecting South Texas construction projects and local businesses. While reaffirming his support for border security, Rep. Cuellar argued enforcement officers should focus on criminals rather than workers.

What did Cuellar say?

Rep. Henry Cuellar spoke out about the impact of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations since President Trump returned to office, saying the raids are disrupting construction projects and local economies across South Texas.

Cuellar said empty construction sites and worker shortages are slowing development and increasing costs for families and businesses.

How does Cuellar say South Texas is being affected?

According to Cuellar, labor shortages caused by workers fearing immigration enforcement are affecting several sectors of the regional economy.

He pointed to impacts including

• Delays in construction projects.
• Increased housing costs due to slower development.
• Worker shortages for local businesses.
• Economic disruptions across South Texas communities.

What Cuellar is saying

Rep. Henry Cuellar: "A construction site should not be sitting empty because workers are afraid to show up."

Rep. Cuellar continued: "Families in South Texas need housing, businesses need workers, and our communities need projects like this to move forward."

What is Cuellar's position on immigration enforcement?

Cuellar emphasized that he supports strong border security but said immigration enforcement should prioritize individuals who pose public safety threats rather than targeting workers.

He added that broad enforcement efforts can have unintended consequences for local economies that depend on a stable workforce.

The Bottom Line

Henry Cuellar said recent ICE enforcement operations are creating labor shortages that are delaying construction and increasing costs across South Texas. While supporting border security, he called for targeted enforcement that focuses on criminals rather than on workers who contribute to local communities and the regional economy.