Democratic lawmakers and labor leaders warned that the Trump administration's immigration enforcement is hurting Houston's economy, arguing that fear of arrest is keeping workers away from jobs and customers away from local businesses.
Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D), House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Congressman Christian Menefee (D), and SEIU Texas President Elsa Flores made the remarks following a closed-door roundtable with Houston Workers, business owners, and community advocates at SEIU Texas headquarters in the city's East End.
Representatives from SEIU Texas, UNITE HERE, Workers Defense Project, FIEL Houston, and local hotel and restaurant businesses participated in the discussion. According to organizers, participants described how immigration enforcement fears are affecting staffing, customer activity, and household finances.
How are immigration enforcement actions affecting Houston businesses?
Garcia framed the issue as an affordability concern, arguing that workers missing shifts lose income while businesses lose customers and revenue.
Rep. Sylvia Garcia: "When workers are afraid to show up for work, families lose paychecks."
She warned that fear among construction workers could delay homebuilding and argued that immigration laws can be enforced while treating people with dignity and respect.
Flores said workers are increasingly afraid to go to work because of ICE arrests. She disputed the administration's stated focus on criminal offenders and called for federal immigration enforcement to leave local communities.
The roundtable's participants included labor organizations and business owners, but the announcement did not provide independent economic data quantifying lost wages, reduced customer traffic, or the broader financial impact of enforcement in Houston.
What are Democratic leaders calling for?
Jeffries criticized the administration's immigration policies, arguing that they have targeted law-abiding immigrant families rather than focusing exclusively on people convicted of violent crimes. He said House Democrats want changes to the immigration system as opposed to the use of taxpayer funds for enforcement practices he characterized as abusive.
Menefee, who represents Texas' 18th Congressional District, emphasized immigrants' place in Houston communities and said he would work with Garcia to advocate for policies that recognize their dignity and humanity.
Lawmakers' comments reflect Democratic opposition to the administration's enforcement approach. The event announcement did not outline specific legislation or a detailed policy proposal emerging from the roundtable.
