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By Rio Grande Guardian Staff
SAN JUAN, Texas — A comprehensive new report examining federal immigration enforcement data reveals that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained over 13,000 residents across the Rio Grande Valley between October 2022 and March 2026, dealing a severe $180.6 million blow to the local economy.
The study, released by the Caminos Institute and based on records from the Deportation Data Project, offers one of the most detailed look yet at how heightened interior enforcement actions—including workplace raids on construction sites, small businesses, and local neighborhood encounters—are reshaping daily life and commerce in South Texas.
The Caminos Institute is a regional policy and research organization founded by Andrik Gonzalez, a policy analyst and former researcher at the Brookings Institution. Based in San Juan, Texas, the institute focuses on socioeconomic issues, regional disparities, and the impacts of public policy in the Rio Grande Valley and along the U.S.-Mexico border.
A Dramatic Spike in Enforcement
According to the report, a total of 13,377 undocumented individuals in the Rio Grande Valley were apprehended during the 3.5-year period analyzed. While monthly apprehensions averaged around 264 under previous administrative baselines, operations intensified significantly following changes in federal policy.
In 2025 alone, ICE enforcement activity surged dramatically, with 5,087 noncitizens detained in the region—an average of 413 to 423 monthly apprehensions, or approximately one apprehension every two hours. That single-year figure is more than double the 2,349 apprehensions recorded over the same timeframe the year prior.
The rate of deportations following detention has also increased markedly. Of those detained in 2025, 86.3% (4,389 individuals) were deported, compared to 68.3% (4,329 individuals) between 2023 and 2024.
Demographic Profile of Detainees
The data paints a detailed picture of the population impacted by interior enforcement in the Valley:
- Origin: The vast majority of detainees originated from Mexico (74% or 9,903 individuals), followed by Central America (12.7%), South America (10.4%), and the Caribbean (2.2%).
- Age & Gender: Detainees were predominantly young and male (68.9%), with a median age of 36 years. At least 118 individuals were minors under the age of 18.
- Length of Residence: Of the 4,572 records where entry dates were tracked, 84.2% entered the U.S. between 2016 and 2026. A notable spike in entries occurred between September 2022 and May 2023, surrounding policy shifts and the end of Title 42.
- Case Outcomes: Voluntary departure under safeguards accounted for 29.6% of cases, while 25.4% were removed under reinstated final orders. Pending active court cases accounted for 22.1% (2,883 individuals), while 15.8% were issued administrative final orders of exclusion or inadmissibility.
Heavy Economic Toll on Local Business and Labor
The report highlights that the enforcement campaign extends far beyond statistics, severely disrupting the Rio Grande Valley’s core labor force and economy.
With an estimated 93.4% active employment rate among the region’s noncitizen working-age population, the removal of an estimated 9,473 active workers over the 3.5-year period has removed $180.6 million in direct local economic activity. Nearly 43.3% of these economic losses were concentrated in 2025 alone.
The commercial sectors most impacted include:
- Construction: Accounting for 18.2% of the noncitizen workforce, construction has seen a 30% to 40% slowdown due to labor shortages. Members of the South Texas Builders Association reported sales drops of up to 50%, with home construction costs rising by $10,000 to $20,000 per unit. The sector lost over $42 million in direct labor income.
- Healthcare & Social Assistance: Representing 11.9% of noncitizen workers, this critical sector suffered more than $27.6 million in direct labor income losses.
- Hospitality & Food Services: Accounting for 9.07% of affected workers, accommodation and food services lost approximately $21 million in direct labor income. According to a 2026 Texas Restaurant Association survey cited in the report, 36% of local restaurant operators lost employees to enforcement, while consumer traffic dropped by 28%.
High Taxpayer Cost and Political Divide
The financial burden on local taxpayers is also mounting. Citing data from the Economic Policy Institute, the report notes that Rio Grande Valley taxpayers are projected to contribute over $300 million in federal taxes toward funding federal immigration enforcement operations.
Per-county breakdowns include:
- Hidalgo County: $197.6 million
- Cameron County: $99 million
- Starr & Willacy Counties: Combined $10.7 million
This enforcement blitz has been fueled by major congressional funding bills, including the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act passed in July 2025—which provided $75 billion in supplemental cash to ICE—and the $70 billion “Secure America Act” passed in June 2026.
The legislation has underscored regional political divisions. Republican U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz (TX-15), whose district encompasses most of Hidalgo County, voted in favor of the expansion. In contrast, Democratic U.S. Reps. Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) and Henry Cuellar (TX-28) voted against both measures.
As enforcement operations continue across South Texas, local business leaders, community advocates, and working families across the Rio Grande Valley continue to feel the widening social and financial footprint.
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