By Pablo de la Rosa
The Border Chronicle
It was one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 presidential election. The traditionally Democratic Rio Grande Valley, home to a majority Hispanic population, voted for Trump in each of its four counties in South Texas. Since then, a wave of immigration raids has created fear and anxiety and decimated the local economy, with some businesses reporting a 90 percent drop in customers.
Now a weakened economy and deep cuts to popular social programs are causing some South Texas Trump supporters to reconsider their vote, especially as the region braces for cuts to after-school programs, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), Medicaid, college tuition grants, and more – all thanks to Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” Additional funding cuts to federal programs by Elon Musk, the Trump-appointed former head of DOGE, will further slash local programs across housing, agriculture, libraries, and more.
On top of these cuts, the administration announced its plan last week to end college funding for the federal “Hispanic Serving Institutions” program, of which the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a member and grant recipient.
Instead, billions in taxpayer money are being transferred to the military and the Department of Homeland Security to build detention camps, hire more armed agents, build border walls, and further militarize communities. In June, the banks of the Rio Grande were declared a military zone by the Trump administration, even as cities in the region remain some of the safest in the country and migrant crossings hit the lowest numbers “in recorded history,” according to DHS. Rio Grande Valley families who previously camped on the banks of the river or kayaked in its waters for generations may lose access as the military has installed signs declaring the river off-limits.
Eric Holguin, state director for UnidosUS – a nonpartisan national policy and advocacy organization for Hispanic issues—says that while it will take time to feel the full effects of mass deportations and social program cuts, voters in the Rio Grande Valley are already aware of the implications. The mood in the region among Trump supporters has notably shifted since November.
“They’re angry about a lot of it, and it also stems from the blatant corruption that they saw happening with Elon Musk and Trump previously that’s still probably going on,” said Holguin. “These are people who have the traditional John McCain and Bush Republican values, and they see those values being completely obliterated by the current iteration of the Republican Party.”
It was one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 presidential election. The traditionally Democratic Rio Grande Valley, home to a majority Hispanic population, voted for Trump in each of its four counties in South Texas. Since then, a wave of immigration raids has created fear and anxiety and decimated the local economy, with some businesses reporting a 90 percent drop in customers.
Now a weakened economy and deep cuts to popular social programs are causing some South Texas Trump supporters to reconsider their vote, especially as the region braces for cuts to after-school programs, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), Medicaid, college tuition grants, and more – all thanks to Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” Additional funding cuts to federal programs by Elon Musk, the Trump-appointed former head of DOGE, will further slash local programs across housing, agriculture, libraries, and more.
On top of these cuts, the administration announced its plan last week to end college funding for the federal “Hispanic Serving Institutions” program, of which the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a member and grant recipient.
Instead, billions in taxpayer money are being transferred to the military and the Department of Homeland Security to build detention camps, hire more armed agents, build border walls, and further militarize communities. In June, the banks of the Rio Grande were declared a military zone by the Trump administration, even as cities in the region remain some of the safest in the country and migrant crossings hit the lowest numbers “in recorded history,” according to DHS. Rio Grande Valley families who previously camped on the banks of the river or kayaked in its waters for generations may lose access as the military has installed signs declaring the river off-limits.
Eric Holguin, state director for UnidosUS – a nonpartisan national policy and advocacy organization for Hispanic issues—says that while it will take time to feel the full effects of mass deportations and social program cuts, voters in the Rio Grande Valley are already aware of the implications. The mood in the region among Trump supporters has notably shifted since November.
“They’re angry about a lot of it, and it also stems from the blatant corruption that they saw happening with Elon Musk and Trump previously that’s still probably going on,” said Holguin. “These are people who have the traditional John McCain and Bush Republican values, and they see those values being completely obliterated by the current iteration of the Republican Party.”
City and industry leaders in the Rio Grande Valley joined the American Business Immigration Coalition to urge the Trump administration to reduce ICE raids in the region. (Photo credit: Eric Holguin, UnidosUS)
Last week, Holguin joined a roundtable of border officials and industry leaders hosted by the American Business Immigration Coalition, which included key stakeholders in agriculture, construction, and real estate. The participants urged Trump “to pass sensible federal immigration solutions” for the region.
The discussion included the Republican mayor of McAllen, Javier Villalobos, who said in June that the “general consensus” in the Rio Grande Valley is that “people posing a danger to our national security” should be deported, but that “people on either side of the political spectrum have quickly realized that we need human labor.”
In the Rio Grande Valley, about 65 percent of workers in agriculture and construction are foreign born, according to an analysis released in September by the American Immigration Council, a national nonprofit that provides research and advocacy on immigration issues. The organization also reported that about 130,000 workers without legal status in the Rio Grande Valley contribute upwards of $144 million in yearly taxes and $1.6 billion in spending to the local community.
The dramatic increase in ICE raids in the Rio Grande Valley has brought a chilling effect, not just to undocumented workers but to mixed-status Hispanic families, damaging the local economy. Recently, the Trump administration argued in court that ICE should be allowed to arrest people based on the fact that they speak Spanish or speak English with an accent.
“You have an undocumented population who, if they’re still working, are coming straight home,” said Holguin. “They’re not stopping at Whataburger or the taquerias anymore. And because those businesses are suffering, sales tax revenues that are supposed to be coming to the municipalities are declining pretty rapidly.”
Last week, Holguin joined a roundtable of border officials and industry leaders hosted by the American Business Immigration Coalition, which included key stakeholders in agriculture, construction, and real estate. The participants urged Trump “to pass sensible federal immigration solutions” for the region.
The discussion included the Republican mayor of McAllen, Javier Villalobos, who said in June that the “general consensus” in the Rio Grande Valley is that “people posing a danger to our national security” should be deported, but that “people on either side of the political spectrum have quickly realized that we need human labor.”
In the Rio Grande Valley, about 65 percent of workers in agriculture and construction are foreign born, according to an analysis released in September by the American Immigration Council, a national nonprofit that provides research and advocacy on immigration issues. The organization also reported that about 130,000 workers without legal status in the Rio Grande Valley contribute upwards of $144 million in yearly taxes and $1.6 billion in spending to the local community.
The dramatic increase in ICE raids in the Rio Grande Valley has brought a chilling effect, not just to undocumented workers but to mixed-status Hispanic families, damaging the local economy. Recently, the Trump administration argued in court that ICE should be allowed to arrest people based on the fact that they speak Spanish or speak English with an accent.
“You have an undocumented population who, if they’re still working, are coming straight home,” said Holguin. “They’re not stopping at Whataburger or the taquerias anymore. And because those businesses are suffering, sales tax revenues that are supposed to be coming to the municipalities are declining pretty rapidly.”
To read rest of article, click on link: https://www.theborderchronicle.com/p/voters-regret-support-for-trump-plunges
17 comments:
The Hispanics that voted for him have to much pride to accept their stupidity. Están bien pendejos y son caga palos. They are a bunch of financial aid recipients full of denial.
Morons! I tell you. The MAGA Hispanics are morons!
We voted for this, Montoya. We want Ilhan Omar deported as well.
Sure, you keep telling yourself that. I’m enjoying the constant yapping.
The assertion of a failing economy seems unfounded, as local businesses are thriving and there's no visible sign of widespread financial distress. The real issue lies with corrupt, radical Democrats who favor excessive government and handouts, perpetuating wasteful programs lacking accountability. The enrichment of numerous Democratic politicians raises concerns, suggesting a need for greater scrutiny. Despite the disruptions caused by these Democrats, there's optimism for positive change in the coming years.
Crossin’ to the valley, gonna pick a lot of tomatoes
Crossin’ to the valley, gonna pick me a lot of tomatoes
Crossin’ to the valley, gonna pick a lot of tomatoes
Crossin’ to the valley, gonna pick a lot of tomatoes
Tomatoes on the vine
Sweat drippin’ down the line
Fields out past the town
If I had my little way
I’d work here every day
Sun-beaten backs bent to the ground
Crossin’ to the valley, gonna pick a lot of tomatoes
Crossin’ to the valley, gonna pick me a lot of tomatoes
Crossin’ to the valley, gonna pick a lot of tomatoes
Crossin’ to the valley, gonna pick a lot of tomatoes
Millions of tomatoes, tomatoes for me
Millions of tomatoes, tomatoes for free
Millions of tomatoes, rottin’ in the heat
Millions of tomatoes, ICE on the street (Look out!)
Crossin’ to the valley, gonna pick a lot of tomatoes
Crossin’ to the valley, gonna pick a lot of tomatoes
I took a little rest where the shadows twist
Squished a rotten tomato in my fist
And dreamed about freedom
I saw the border lights at night
Dreamt of family held out of sight
Nature’s harvest left to waste, no place, no taste
Millions of tomatoes, tomatoes for me
Millions of tomatoes, tomatoes for free
Millions of tomatoes, rottin’ in the heat
Millions of tomatoes, ICE on the street
Despite the current weakness of our economy, BISD is putting forward two propositions this November, amounting to a total of half a billion dollars. This will impact our property taxes, resulting in yet another increase. However, it seems that this is of little concern, as we are facing a dire economic situation with individuals suffering from starvation on our streets.
8:17 Hold on, Junior. Last I checked, we have a felon president. Lack of accountability, that title belongs to the GOP and Supreme Court. Both corrupt entities. Excessive government handouts. You must be referring to the top 1% and corporations that dodge payment of taxes. There is no comparison between social and corporate welfare amounts. Corporations and billionaires leach off vast amounts. Yet, the average MAGA cultist blames everything on undocumented immigrants and social programs. Trump and the GOP keep you blinded using the mushroom principle. They keep you in the dark and feed you manure.
Men voted for a man. They could not vote for a woman. It is what it is. Women understand now. Women are leaving the workforce and returning home to take care of the home. The men are going into the workforce.
Well, stores are empty but sometimes they are not. People are not spending and buying but sometimes they do shop. Only few people can see the whole picture. However, if it is only legal people shopping and moving around the city, than it is great. The USA is a very generous country. Japan, Turkey, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Norway etc are not nice to foreigners. They never give them full time jobs and they never give them legal status. Only a visa.
If MAGA Hispanics are considered foolish, what term would you use for Democrats who have been conditioned like mice to navigate the maze due to their indoctrination? Democrats do not exhibit leadership qualities; rather, they are followers who move in sync with hatred and ignorance, guided by their benefactor, Soros!
Before deporting Omar an investigation needs to be conducted to reveal where she obtained her millions over night.
3:16 PM Sir/Ma'am, you are delusional. With all respect, off the deep end.
Nope! Not one bit!! Viva Trump cabrones!!!!!!
I want my vote back
Trump lied
Kamala Harris would have had no control over anything if she would have won, but then again, that seems to be how all the democrats want this county to be. Judges fighting tariffs, deportations, national guard, shit, Dems are fucking crazy! If they want to live that way they should move to a third world country instead of trying to turn ours into one!
You think Trump has control?
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