UPDATE: The Texas Senate race is heating up as immigration enforcement takes center stage, even as border crossings plummet. In a stark shift, Republican candidates are ramping up their focus on enforcement measures, aiming to energize their conservative base ahead of the March 3, 2025 primary.
Mario Guerrero, executive director of the South Texas Builders Association, expressed frustration over the impact of recent federal raids on construction sites. “The whole workforce, whether people have proper documentation or not, they’re all scared,” he stated, highlighting the fear among workers that is disrupting business operations across the state.
With Border Patrol encounters decreasing significantly, the narrative among Texas Republicans has changed. They are now emphasizing enforcement actions rather than border crossings, presenting them as a measure of toughness. The latest federal data shows ICE apprehensions have surged by 132% nationally from January to October 2025 compared to the previous year, underscoring a shift in focus towards interior enforcement.
Republican candidates, including incumbent John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, are fully backing the operations of ICE. They argue that strong enforcement is essential for restoring order and security, even as critics claim these tactics strain communities and local economies.
In contrast, Democratic candidates are capitalizing on the fallout from heightened enforcement. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico are vocal against what they term overly aggressive ICE tactics. They argue such measures lead to labor shortages and raise civil liberty concerns, predicting that the GOP’s enforcement-heavy messaging will falter in the general elections.
Crockett has drawn attention for her controversial remarks likening ICE operations to “slave patrols,” a statement she defended as a critique of aggressive enforcement. Meanwhile, Talarico emphasized the need for a balanced approach, advocating for more immigration judges and a reformed asylum system.
The rising visibility of ICE operations has become a critical electoral flashpoint. Following a tragic incident involving the fatal shooting of a civilian during an ICE operation in Minneapolis, scrutiny of enforcement tactics has intensified. Cornyn has responded by proposing legislation to increase penalties for assaults on law enforcement officers, further highlighting the divide in political strategies.
Political analysts suggest that while immigration remains a key issue in Texas primaries, the general electorate’s response may differ. Many voters express concern about illegal immigration but also recognize the economic contributions of immigrants. Amerika Garcia Grewal, who runs a border vigil, warns that aggressive enforcement could backfire on Republicans as voters weigh the human cost.
As the Texas race unfolds, the focus will remain on how these immigration dynamics influence broader political strategies. The debate is shifting from border crossings to enforcement actions, with both parties strategizing to capture the complex sentiments of Texas voters.
Expect further developments as candidates refine their messaging and respond to the evolving immigration landscape in the run-up to the critical March primaries.
