“Construction can’t continue”: South Texas builders say ICE arrests have upended industry

ICE agents have arrested more than 9,100 people in South Texas — nearly one-fifth of all such arrests in the entire state since Trump took office, according to government data provided by ICE in response to a FOIA request to the Deportation Data Project and analyzed by the Texas Tribune.

Without enough workers, construction has slowed, sending a ripple effect throughout the economy. Economists suggest that this will drive housing costs up — even as Texas officials focus on bringing such costs down.

https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/24/south-texas-ice-arrests-home-construction/

Start paying a decent wage to US citizens, not that they can afford to buy a new home anyway.

Buddy of mine just got done rehabbing a "rental property" of his at Corpus Christi. Did such a good job, they reassessed his property, and doubled his yearly RE tax from $3500 to $7000. Somehow his "now selling" price didn't double.

His done with USA, and will liquidate & retire, as I did. No longer worth living there & investing. He'll probably go to PI vs TH. Especially if they enforce the incoming fund taxes. He would get hit with huge tax bill.

USA & TH's loss of another $$$ millionaire due to silly taxes.

They were supposed to be going after the gangbangers. Instead, they're hanging around Home Depot harassing brown people.

What a s**t show.

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Start paying a decent wage to US citizens, not that they can afford to buy a new home anyway.

Buddy of mine just got done rehabbing a "rental property" of his at Corpus Christi. Did such a good job, they reassessed his property, and doubled his yearly RE tax from $3500 to $7000. Somehow his "now selling" price didn't double.

His done with USA, and will liquidate & retire, as I did. No longer worth living there & investing. He'll probably go to PI vs TH. Especially if they enforce the incoming fund taxes. He would get hit with huge tax bill.

USA & TH's loss of another $$$ millionaire due to silly taxes.

Yeah, That increase taking .0035 of his million must have really hurt.

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Start paying a decent wage to US citizens, not that they can afford to buy a new home anyway.

And what you think the end result of that will be?

Hint: price for the completed project will increase accordingly, and the US citizens who now according to you can not afford to buy a new home, will have to pay even more

1 hour ago, bunnydrops said:

Yeah, That increase taking .0035 of his million must have really hurt.

You expect a certain ROI, with every USD spent. When part of your overhead increases 100%, you sort of lose the desire to hold on to.

They're Section 8 rentals, and profit is minimal anyway, and long term, it adds up. But when your RE Tax increases from $292 to $584 a month. Along with mortgage, and what you invested to rehab, not counting your time, then that $1500 you might get for monthly rent, starts to not be worth the bother.

Especially when you don't need the money to begin with, but just like tinkering, and spending time with you 95 yr old father, before he moves to the next dimension.

Pop back in when you have a clue about RE investing in the USA, and prioritizing your quality time.

1 hour ago, CallumWK said:

And what you think the end result of that will be?

Hint: price for the completed project will increase accordingly, and the US citizens who now according to you can not afford to buy a new home, will have to pay even more

At least he or she will have a job, with better pay to support him/her and theirs.

Y'all just don't get it, do. Illegal aliens lower the wage base, use municipal service, that usually don't pay taxes for, or their fare share. Raised the overall cost of those that do pay taxes, with now opportunities & less income, for US citizens.

So do you like the illegal aliens in your home country ? Don't bother, I know the answer.

Barack Obama deported over 3 million.
Joe Biden deported ~700,000 (2024).
Donald Trump deported ~600,000 (2025).

Yet only under Trump does chaos hit construction and ripple through the rest of the U.S.

The difference isn’t enforcement — it’s the fear and the disruption to all.

Obama and Biden focused on criminals and recent border crossers, not settled, non-criminal workers already embedded in the economy → workers stayed → building continued, despite GOP-blocked pathways to legal status.

Trump: culture-driven, targeted ICE spectacles → job sites emptied → projects stalled.

Bottom line:
You can enforce the law without breaking the economy — unless chaos and fear are the point.

4 hours ago, Alan Zweibel said:

“Construction can’t continue”: South Texas builders say ICE arrests have upended industry

Cry me a river. Isn't that what they said about ending slavery?

Whenever I read about a labor shortage, they always seen to forget to mention that they can't find labor at the wages and under the terms that they want to offer. If they can't find someone willing to work for a pittance and willing to work under the table so taxes don't come out, they're going bust? (And at the same time the lefties are claiming unemployment is up, no less)

Besides, being South Texas, if they have no illegals, they really don't need as much housing, do they? Is he really crying about not enough workers, or not enough renters?

I worked the Rio Grande Valley out of a Corpus Christi office in the '80s. La Migra was pulling over random vehicles and had permanent and moving checkpoints 50-100 miles from the border to do 100% inspections, and raiding Home Depots, long before the Bad Orange Man. Cheech even did a movie about it... Born in East LA. Remind me, what year was that and who was Prez?

40 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

At least he or she will have a job, with better pay to support him/her and theirs.

Y'all just don't get it, do. Illegal aliens lower the wage base, use municipal service, that usually don't pay taxes for, or their fare share. Raised the overall cost of those that do pay taxes, with now opportunities & less income, for US citizens.

So do you like the illegal aliens in your home country ? Don't bother, I know the answer.

Who hires these illegal aliens?

7 minutes ago, Wydahoan said:

Who hires these illegal aliens?

Helps if you read the OP and or link provided before posting.

14 minutes ago, Wydahoan said:

Who hires these illegal aliens?

I'll answer your question with regards to the South Texas real estate market... The developers sub-contract the work out to roofers, tilers, plumbers, dirt workers, etc. Those subcontractors hire illegals under the table, not withholding taxes or FICA. The developers themselves get to claim ignorance.

18 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Helps if you read the OP and or link provided before posting.

My point being, is this those dirt head lefties or those manly men so called conservatives? Why isn’t there more news about people being fined and brought up on charges for hiring the illegals. I know the answer, I’ve seen how it works. In cold and snowy Jackson Hole, I’d say it’s almost 90% Mexican labor building the 1%ers houses now. And I’m pretty sure they aren’t all dirt head lefties. Back in the 90,s when the Mexican people started moving in, many were illegal, and I personally witnessed the good republicans hiring them, even the politicians. When ICE came to town they were warned, and they sent the workers to other locations. First they were irrigators and maids, now they practically run the valley.

30 minutes ago, impulse said:

I'll answer your question with regards to the South Texas real estate market... The developers sub-contract the work out to roofers, tilers, plumbers, dirt workers, etc. Those subcontractors hire illegals under the table, not withholding taxes or FICA. The developers themselves get to claim ignorance.

You mean developers like Trump?

https://www.axios.com/2019/02/08/trump-organization-illegal-immigrants

3 hours ago, BLMFem said:

They were supposed to be going after the gangbangers. Instead, they're hanging around Home Depot harassing brown people.

What a s**t show.

Trump, and Miller are racists, and hate people of color. I don't see them going after any illegal Germans, Swedes, or white South Africans.

Though the exceedingly dumb South Korean factory raid may be an exception of that application of racist immigration policy.

13 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Trump, and Miller are racists, and hate people of color. I don't see them going after any illegal Germans, Swedes, or white South Africans.

Though the exceedingly dumb South Korean factory raid may be an exception of that application of racist immigration policy.

Are there that many illegal Germans, Swedes, or white South Africans, coming across the border of Mexico & Canada. I think not. I would think, plenty of employment opportunities for Germans & Swedes in the EU, that provides healthcare, instead of trying your luck in the USA.

South Africans, if on the hit list, can actually come into the USA, without much problem, if reading news correctly.

So yes, it will be mostly Mexicans, and folks from further south in the Americas. Though not looking for asylum, as they could have gotten that in Mexico, one would think, as out of danger in Mexico.

Sure ICE has a long list of folks the Biden administration let in, that didn't return for their asylum hearing, hence now, they're illegally staying in USA. Most of those, crossed from the south, so yea, no need to profile, as they are on the list for deportation, along with so many others.

If someone reports a job site or factory with illegals, then yes, they should respond, and does make rounding folks up easier.

Not seeing any problem with any of that. Come to USA legally and you are welcomed with open arms. And millions do every year .... LEGALLY

Enter Illegally, and you are a criminal, and hopefully will be dealt with accordingly.

1 hour ago, impulse said:

And at the same time the lefties are claiming unemployment is up, no less

It's not just a claim. That's what official statistics are showing.....

1 hour ago, candide said:

It's not just a claim. That's what official statistics are showing.....

Just another number pulled out of someone's orifice.

Taken from random, 'opinionated' household surveys

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Just another number pulled out of someone's orifice.

Taken from random, 'opinionated' household surveys

In other words, you have nothing..... 🤣

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Start paying a decent wage to US citizens, not that they can afford to buy a new home anyway.

Buddy of mine just got done rehabbing a "rental property" of his at Corpus Christi. Did such a good job, they reassessed his property, and doubled his yearly RE tax from $3500 to $7000. Somehow his "now selling" price didn't double.

His done with USA, and will liquidate & retire, as I did. No longer worth living there & investing. He'll probably go to PI vs TH. Especially if they enforce the incoming fund taxes. He would get hit with huge tax bill.

USA & TH's loss of another $$$ millionaire due to silly taxes.

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Just another number pulled out of someone's orifice.

Taken from random, 'opinionated' household surveys

As opposed to an anonymous member of aseannow.com offering as evidence the experience of an anonymous friend in Texas.

3 hours ago, impulse said:

Cry me a river. Isn't that what they said about ending slavery?

Whenever I read about a labor shortage, they always seen to forget to mention that they can't find labor at the wages and under the terms that they want to offer. If they can't find someone willing to work for a pittance and willing to work under the table so taxes don't come out, they're going bust? (And at the same time the lefties are claiming unemployment is up, no less)

The BLS is now the lefties? Can you share with us the evidence that they are falsifying the numbers?

29 minutes ago, Alan Zweibel said:

As opposed to an anonymous member of aseannow.com offering as evidence the experience of an anonymous friend in Texas.

Feel free to believe me or not, you're prerogative. I wouldn't believe me either, as I F'd it up, it was $3000 raised to $7000

35 minutes ago, candide said:

In other words, you have nothing..... 🤣

I know, and explained, where they get the unemployment numbers from. Apparently you 2 don't know.

We all know surveys are so accurate. I believe it is you that has nothing ... again.

HINT: ... use Google before posting.

5 hours ago, BLMFem said:

They were supposed to be going after the gangbangers. Instead, they're hanging around Home Depot harassing brown people.

What a s**t show.

those brown ppl have 5 kids all on welfare and free medicaid , I'm sick of payin for them

52 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I know, and explained, where they get the unemployment numbers from. Apparently you 2 don't know.

We all know surveys are so accurate. I believe it is you that has nothing ... again.

HINT: ... use Google before posting.

Indicators are certainly not perfect, but they are all converging (public or private) to show a worsened job situation under Trump this year.

Were you raising the same objections when unemployment decreased under Trump 1.0? 😅

20 minutes ago, candide said:

Indicators are certainly not perfect, but they are all converging (public or private) to show a worsened job situation under Trump this year.

Were you raising the same objections when unemployment decreased under Trump 1.0? 😅

Why would I care about unemployment numbers in the USA. Besides not living there the past 25 years, I never had a problem finding a job, and that was also during Carter, (see below), probably the worst economic time, with highest unemployment numbers, I so they say. And yet, I was steadily employed with numerous jobs those 4 year. You want to work, you look for work, you find work, as simple as that.

I simply stated, the numbers are BS and pulled from surveys. Which you still apparently don't know.

33 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Why would I care about unemployment numbers in the USA. Besides not living there the past 25 years, I never had a problem finding a job, and that was also during Carter, (see below), probably the worst economic time, with highest unemployment numbers, I so they say. And yet, I was steadily employed with numerous jobs those 4 year. You want to work, you look for work, you find work, as simple as that.

I simply stated, the numbers are BS and pulled from surveys. Which you still apparently don't know.

Apparently, you're a mind reader since I haven't found any indication of where Candide says the info comes from. And not only did you simply state it, you simplistically stated it. And he fact that you cite your personal employment experience as somehow a significant factor in assessing the reality of unemployment shows certain grandiose notions you have about yourself but nothing else.. And apparently you believe "survey" somehow signifies fakery. It's clear that you have only the faintest inkling about how the BLS collects it's information. For those willing to be educated, here's a link to a BLS page that offers concise and excellent insight into how the system works.

How the Government Measures Unemployment

https://www.bls.gov/cps/cps_htgm.htm#where

2 hours ago, Alan Zweibel said:

Apparently, you're a mind reader since I haven't found any indication of where Candide says the info comes from. And not only did you simply state it, you simplistically stated it. And he fact that you cite your personal employment experience as somehow a significant factor in assessing the reality of unemployment shows certain grandiose notions you have about yourself but nothing else.. And apparently you believe "survey" somehow signifies fakery. It's clear that you have only the faintest inkling about how the BLS collects it's information. For those willing to be educated, here's a link to a BLS page that offers concise and excellent insight into how the system works.

How the Government Measures Unemployment

https://www.bls.gov/cps/cps_htgm.htm#where

I guess you didn't read or understand, or realize, your link agrees & verifies, exactly what I stated. The number is from surveys. So basically BS.

... "There are about 60,000 eligible households in the sample for this survey. This translates into approximately 110,000 individuals each month, a large sample compared to public opinion surveys, which usually cover fewer than 2,000 people. The CPS sample is selected so as to be representative of the entire population of the United States." ...

To put that in perspective ...

... "0.0314% of 350,000,000 is 110,000" ...

And how many in those households, are below or beyond working age, or not even looking for work ?

... "The CPS sample is selected so as to be representative of the entire population of the United States." ...

7 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I guess you didn't read or understand, or realize, your link agrees & verifies, exactly what I stated. The number is from surveys. So basically BS.

... "There are about 60,000 eligible households in the sample for this survey. This translates into approximately 110,000 individuals each month, a large sample compared to public opinion surveys, which usually cover fewer than 2,000 people. The CPS sample is selected so as to be representative of the entire population of the United States." ...

To put that in perspective ...

... "0.0314% of 350,000,000 is 110,000" ...

And how many in those households, are below or beyond working age, or not even looking for work ?

... "The CPS sample is selected so as to be representative of the entire population of the United States." ...

What this actually demonstrates is that you don't have a clue about statistics. Apparently you have some kind of mental allergy to the word "survey".

A sad fact that has to be recognized is we have raised a generation of entitled, lazy, won't do manual labor misfits. Our schools teach that only a college degree will get you ahead, shop classes are gone.