Texas Latino Leaders Warn Immigration Policies Could Shift Hispanic Vote

Community advocates say enforcement-only rhetoric has alienated Hispanic and moderate voters ahead of midterms.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Latino community leaders in Texas are warning that growing frustration with immigration enforcement policies under the Trump administration could reshape the Hispanic vote in upcoming midterm elections. They say recent polling and turnout data show a 10-15% shift in Latino voters away from the Republican Party, driven by a lack of progress on immigration reform and aggressive enforcement tactics.

Why it matters

Texas is a crucial battleground state where Latino voters could play a decisive role in the midterm elections. The potential shift in Hispanic support away from Republicans raises questions about the GOP's messaging and policy approach on immigration, which has historically been a key issue for many Latino voters.

The details

At a news conference, business and community advocates said their research shows a noticeable shift among Latino voters in Texas, with many leaving the Republican Party and voting Democrat instead. They attribute this to frustration over immigration enforcement efforts under the Trump administration and the lack of progress on immigration reform in Congress. The advocates say Latino voters want to see pathways to citizenship, like the Dignity and Dream Act, rather than just enforcement-focused policies.

  • The news conference was held on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

The players

Diana Flores

Representative of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Juan Carlos Cerda

Texas Director of the American Business Immigration Coalition.

Massey Villareal

CEO of Precision Task Group and outspoken Republican.

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What they’re saying

“You have poked the bear. The numbers that came out during the primaries have proven that. You don't mess with our families. We are mixed-status families.”

— Diana Flores, Representative, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (cbsnews.com)

“The primaries showed that enforcement-only rhetoric is a gamble and an enforcement-only message has alienated Hispanic and moderate voters.”

— Juan Carlos Cerda, Texas Director, American Business Immigration Coalition (cbsnews.com)

“Hispanic and Latino voters are not owned by either party. We are united by faith, family, work and opportunity. We are willing to work with leaders who respect those values. Our vote will determine the midterms.”

— Massey Villareal, CEO, Precision Task Group (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The upcoming midterm elections in Texas will be a key test of how Latino voters respond to the immigration policy debates, with their votes potentially playing a decisive role in the outcome.

The takeaway

This story highlights the political power of the Latino electorate in Texas and the potential consequences for the Republican Party if it fails to adapt its immigration messaging and policies to better reflect the priorities of Hispanic voters in the state.