Tamaulipas Migrants Confront Surge in US ICE Raids and Deportations via Texas and Matamoros

An estimated 31,000‑35,000 people from Tamaulipas now live in Texas, accounting for more than 97% of the state’s migrants abroad. Recent ICE raids and tougher U.S. immigration policies have heightened fear among these communities. The Association of Tamaulipecos in Texas, led by Román Bock, offers legal guidance, attorney referrals and funeral assistance to families facing detention or deportation.

The Instituto Tamaulipeco del Migrante has warned that around 220,000 Tamaulipas families need clear information on how to react to ICE actions, emphasizing rights such as the need for a judicial warrant before agents enter a home and the right to legal counsel.

During the first five months of 2026, Tamaulipas recorded a 58% increase in deportations, with 15,458 migrants sent back, compared with 9,759 in the same period a year earlier. About 90% of these returns now occur through the Matamoros crossing, while other points such as Nuevo Laredo have seen sharp declines.