KINGSVILLE, Texas — June 26, 2025 — A federal enforcement action on the campus of Texas A&M University-Kingsville rattled students and raised fresh concerns about immigration practices after more than two dozen construction workers were detained early Thursday morning.

The workers, hired by a contractor to repair the Memorial Student Union Building following recent fire damage, were on-site when multiple federal agencies arrived at around 7 a.m. The scene quickly drew attention from students and staff.

“Me being Hispanic, it makes me really nervous, you know because it's a Hispanic-based school,” said one student, speaking anonymously outside Kingsville City Hall. “At a young age, my dad was actually deported from here to Mexico. Going to work, thinking it's a normal day, then their families at home — not knowing what's going on.”

In a statement, the university confirmed that 26 individuals were detained for “additional screening” and emphasized that the action did not involve any students or university employees. The university’s police were present to ensure campus safety.

“At approximately 7 a.m. Thursday, federal agents were present on campus this morning related to an investigation of general laborers currently working on the Memorial Student Union remediation project,” a university spokesperson stated. “Authorities cleared campus by 9 a.m.… The contractor reports that they anticipate all 26 individuals will return to the campus work site by the end of the day.”

Despite the university’s efforts to clarify the situation, some students remained unsettled.

“Receiving that email from TAMUK that says ‘they're all just being screened and they'll be back to work by the end of the day.’ I kept checking outside but I didn't see no one come back,” one student said, reflecting doubts about the outcome.

The campus lockdown and enforcement action came amid broader national debates around immigration enforcement, contractor hiring practices, and worker documentation on public university campuses. While federal authorities have not released further details, legal experts note that such actions typically stem from routine audits or tips related to employment verification.

TAMU-Kingsville senior Marco Ruiz described his reaction when he received the university’s alert. “I was shocked quite frankly that federal agents were here on campus, here in Kingsville,” he said. “I think it's a representation of our political climate here, especially considering that there's been widespread events across the U.S. at other campuses.”

The operation also reignites concerns about how such enforcement actions disproportionately impact Hispanic-majority communities and public institutions with strong Latino representation.

Immigrant advocacy groups in nearby Corpus Christi have held recent protests in response to broader ICE operations in South Texas, adding more context to the tension surrounding this incident.

Although officials say the 26 workers were expected to return to the job site by the end of the day, the event has left a lasting impression on the student body. For some, it was a vivid reminder of the uncertainty that undocumented and contract laborers continue to face — even on college campuses.

Originally reported by Josh Maxwell in KIITV.