Texas construction owners install fences to deter ICE operations

Construction business owners in South Texas are installing wire fencing and private property signage at job sites to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from entering without judicial warrants.

Benigno Melendez, a construction entrepreneur in San Juan, Texas, reported that these measures are intended to establish visible boundaries and reduce uncertainty among employees. He noted that increased immigration enforcement operations have led to labor shortages, as workers avoid job sites due to fear of interrogation, detention, or confrontation.

Melendez, who previously supported Joe Biden but voted for Donald Trump in 2024, stated that the crackdown has significantly disrupted his business operations. He reported that project timelines have slowed drastically, noting that completing a home now takes approximately one year compared to an average of four months prior to the current immigration enforcement surge.