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President Donald Trump's immigration policies are drawing criticism from many Hispanic business owners in Texas, according to a new survey that suggests growing frustration among a group that strongly supported him during the 2024 election.
The survey, conducted by the U.S. Hispanic Business Council (USHBC), found that many small business owners say stricter immigration enforcement has disrupted their operations, reduced their workforce, and created uncertainty across local communities. The findings also indicate that these concerns could influence voting patterns in Texas' upcoming U.S. Senate race.
One south Texas construction business owner, Benny Melendez, said he voted for Trump in 2024 but has since changed his political stance. He explained that several employees working for his company have been detained or deported since early 2025, making it increasingly difficult to complete projects and maintain normal business operations.
According to the survey, roughly one in five Hispanic business owners reported losing at least one employee to deportation over the past year. Many respondents also said Trump's tariff policies have increased operating costs, adding more financial pressure to already challenging business conditions.
The poll included more than 1,000 Texas-based members of the U.S. Hispanic Business Council representing industries such as construction, retail, manufacturing, food services, and other small businesses.
Despite many participants identifying as Republicans, the survey found growing support for Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. He currently holds a slight lead over Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton among those surveyed, while some former Republican primary voters say they are reconsidering their support.
Business owners interviewed alongside the survey described immigration enforcement as having effects beyond labor shortages. They said frequent workplace inspections and enforcement actions have created fear among employees, reduced morale, and made hiring and retaining workers more difficult.
USHBC President and CEO Javier Palomarez said even losing a single employee can have a major impact on a small company, especially businesses with limited staff. He argued that uncertainty surrounding immigration enforcement has become one of the biggest challenges facing many Hispanic-owned businesses.
Ken Paxton, meanwhile, has continued supporting strict immigration policies, including backing tougher state immigration laws and legal efforts related to undocumented immigrants. His campaign argues that voters remain focused on issues such as tax cuts, economic growth, lower regulations, and affordable energy.
James Talarico has taken a different approach, saying Hispanic-owned businesses deserve greater economic support rather than policies that increase financial pressure. He has also called for broader immigration reforms while encouraging dissatisfied voters from both political parties to support his campaign.
The Texas Senate race is expected to become one of the country's most closely watched elections. Recent public polling has shown a highly competitive contest between Paxton and Talarico, with Hispanic voters increasingly becoming a key voting bloc that could influence the final outcome.
The survey also highlights how attitudes among Hispanic voters may be shifting. During the 2024 election, Trump made historic gains across heavily Hispanic counties along the Texas-Mexico border. However, many business owners now say recent immigration enforcement efforts have gone further than they expected.
Several construction industry leaders have previously raised concerns with federal officials, warning that labor shortages caused by deportations could slow projects and increase costs. Some business owners say enforcement activity temporarily declined earlier this year before increasing again in recent weeks.
Local media across Texas have reported several high-profile immigration enforcement cases involving workers and community members, prompting debate over how immigration laws are being implemented. Even some Republican officials have publicly stated that enforcement should focus on individuals considered serious public safety threats rather than broader community actions.
Construction industry representatives argue that replacing experienced workers is not as simple as some political messaging suggests. They say physically demanding jobs in extreme Texas temperatures remain difficult to fill, regardless of immigration policy.
As the Senate campaign continues, immigration, labor shortages, and economic concerns are expected to remain central issues, particularly among Hispanic business owners who play an important role in Texas' economy and electorate.
