Immigration enforcement has become an increasingly visible part of life in San Antonio and across South Texas. Since the beginning of 2025, federal data shows nearly 1,500 ICE arrests in the San Antonio region, and a growing body of research suggests the impact of increased enforcement is extending beyond those detained or deported, affecting jobs and businesses across the region.
San Antonio is estimated to have lost nearly 8,200 jobs following the surge in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity that began in 2025, according to a new analysis from the Brookings Institution.
Farther south, the effects have been especially visible in construction. The Rio Grande Valley saw construction employment fall 5% during the third quarter of 2025, the largest quarterly decline recorded in the region, as builders reported labor shortages, stalled projects, and workers staying away from job sites amid increased ICE activity…