ICE Crackdown Shifts Texas Latino Votes | JQJO

Benny Melendez, a construction owner in McAllen, Texas, installed fences at his sites to keep U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from detaining his workers. He said the crackdown has made it harder to find labor, extending a home‑building project from four months to a year. Melendez, who voted for President Trump in 2024 after supporting President Biden in 2020, now regrets both choices, saying neither party addresses his concerns. A CBS News poll found nearly sixty percent of Latinos believe the Trump administration has deported more people than expected. Democrats hope these worries help them win key Texas races in the November midterms, where Latino turnout is crucial.