U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar met with leaders from the South Texas Builders Association (STBA) on Tuesday, gathering at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in Pharr to discuss the rising concerns surrounding recent ICE raids at construction sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
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The builders emphasized that the enforcement actions are causing significant disruption across the regional construction sector. According to STBA members, the raids have led to acute labor shortages, project delays, and stalled job sites—effects rippling through both the industry and the broader local economy. They also expressed alarm that even lawful workers are being detained during the operations.
The group told Cuellar the situation has escalated to the point where job progress is being compromised daily, putting contractors, subcontractors, and developers in increasingly difficult positions. Many said the unpredictability of the raids is discouraging workers from reporting to job sites, contributing to further slowdown.
In response, Cuellar acknowledged the critical role the STBA plays in shaping construction, development, and economic growth in South Texas. He told the group he intends to connect them directly with federal leadership to ensure their concerns are heard.
Cuellar said the STBA is a key voice in the region’s construction and development industries. He said he wants to arrange a formal meeting in Washington, D.C., where STBA representatives can speak directly with officials at the Department of Homeland Security about the on-the-ground impact of the raids.
The congressman noted that while federal immigration enforcement remains an ongoing national issue, the administration must also consider how enforcement actions affect local economies. STBA leaders emphasized that construction is already dealing with persistent labor shortages, and the added disruption has the potential to halt major projects.
“We want to make sure we have a productive conversation with DHS,” Cuellar said, encouraging the builders to prepare specific cases and documentation to present in Washington. He stressed that the Valley cannot afford a slowdown in construction—an industry that supports thousands of jobs and billions in economic activity.
Accompanying the discussion were video recordings capturing key portions of the exchange between Cuellar and the builders, as well as separate interviews conducted by the Rio Grande Guardian with STBA members. The conversations highlighted both the practical and human impacts of sudden enforcement actions—stories STBA members say need to be understood at the federal level.
The meeting is part of an ongoing dialogue between the congressman and Valley construction leaders. This article is the second installment in a two-part series covering the discussions, with the first part detailing initial concerns raised to Cuellar about worker detentions and inconsistencies in how site checks are conducted.
As immigration enforcement continues to intersect with economic pressures in South Texas, industry leaders say they are relying on Cuellar’s office to help bring clarity, cooperation, and a more measured approach to future operations.
Originally reported by Riogrande Guardian.
