Undocumented: Texas' immigration impact in a new Trump era

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Under President Donald Trump’s renewed administration, Texas has emerged as a key frontline in the push for aggressive immigration enforcement and widespread deportations. Gov. Greg Abbott has issued executive orders directing state agencies to cooperate with federal authorities in identifying, arresting, detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants. Republican lawmakers are also exploring additional measures to bolster those efforts – largely, they say, to combat crime. This includes encouraging local law enforcement agencies to sign Section 287(g) agreements, which authorize them to carry out federal immigration duties.

The impact on immigrant communities has been profound, with widespread fear and uncertainty taking hold. Economically, industries heavily dependent on immigrant labor – particularly construction – are voicing serious concerns about potential labor shortages. Texas residents – regardless of immigration status – also feel the ripple effects in their schools, healthcare systems, courts and public safety services.

To better understand these challenges, KXAN investigators spent the first 100 days of Trump’s second term crowdsourcing for information and gathering insights from the public. The result is “Undocumented,” a comprehensive project launched on May 12, 2025. This initiative features interactive reports (some also available in Spanish), compelling video stories and a podcast episode diving into the real-life consequences of these policies and proposals.