𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐃 𝐀𝐓 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐒𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐀𝐒 𝐔𝐆𝐋𝐘, 𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓

(Brownsville, TX, July 27, 2025) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 14 undocumented workers during a raid at a construction site in Brownsville on July 23, according to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in San Antonio.

In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), HSI described the action as a "targeted worksite enforcement operation." All individuals taken into custody are now facing removal proceedings.

The early morning operation has stirred controversy and drawn criticism from local residents, workers, and business owners, many of whom described the arrests as unnecessarily aggressive.

An eyewitness to the scene, a local resident who asked to be identified only as Luis, said the raid unfolded suddenly and chaotically. “It was very ugly,” he said, accusing ICE officers of mistreating the workers. According to Luis, agents stormed the site, threw personal belongings, and forcibly detained workers. “They started throwing our things… They threw people on the ground,” he said.

ICE officials confirmed the arrests but did not provide further details. Witnesses estimate that at least 15 people were detained while others fled the area in fear.

The raid has had a ripple effect across the local construction industry. Some job sites have halted operations and employers report growing anxiety among their crews. A local construction company owner, who also requested anonymity, said the fear of future raids has led some workers to either walk off the job or ask for higher pay due to the increased risks.

“These are hardworking people,” the owner said. “They’re not criminals. They’re just here to work. They deserve to be treated like human beings.”

As debate continues over immigration enforcement policies, the incident in Brownsville has reignited conversations about worker rights, due process, and the human impact of immigration raids on communities and industries across the Rio Grande Valley.