On August 6, LUPE members shared testimonials with Rep. Henry Cuellar about what they have witnessed, the impact in their communities, and how their families have navigated detentions and deportations in the past year. Participants also briefed the congressman on how the immigration crackdown has targeted vulnerable communities, like DACA beneficiaries who have yet to receive permanent solutions and a pathway to citizenship.

Mrs. Salinas, a LUPE member, spoke about her recent experience and the impacts of immigration enforcement in her county.

“Por más de dos años, yo acompañé a mi esposo a sus citas de inmigración en Laredo, a pesar de que esto representaba un gran gasto y esfuerzo para nosotros. Finalmente, en febrero del 2025, nos casamos y empezamos el proceso de su petición. Todo parecía ir bien, tuvimos nuestra entrevista y esperábamos su permiso de trabajo. Sin embargo, todo cambió la mañana del 23 de julio, cuando después de dejarme en mi trabajo, agentes de ICE lo detuvieron sin razón alguna.”
“For over two years, I accompanied my husband to his immigration appointments in Laredo, even though it entailed significant expense and effort for us. Finally, in February 2025, we got married and began the petition process. Everything seemed to be going well; we had our interview and were awaiting his work permit. However, everything changed on the morning of July 23rd, when—after dropping me off at work—ICE agents detained him for no reason.

Salinas’s husband was deported less than a week after this incident. She shared how apart from the economic strain this has brought on her family, the toughest part has been the absence that can’t be explained.

“Para uno de familia es muy difícil, porque nos quedamos incompletos,” Salinas said. “Tengo a mis hijos y ellos preguntan por él. ¿Qué les puedo decir? ”
“For a family member, it’s very difficult, because we are left incomplete,” Salinas said. “I have my children, and they ask about him. What can I tell them?”

Mrs. Salinas’s husband was pulled over, but he was not the target. His family shared that they were looking for someone else. Even her 20-year-old son told the ICE agents that his stepfather was in the process of obtaining his work permit and residency, and that he could call his lawyer for proof. He was ignored.

This, however, is not news anymore. The rise of encounters between Valley residents and rogue agents is becoming too common, bringing with them a wave of fear. People should not be afraid to leave their homes. People should not be torn apart from our families or communities.

Another story shared was that of Mrs. Garcia. She was pulled over by a city police officer last year under the claims of a traffic violation. This particular police officer is known for his abuse of power, and as Garcia shared her story, other participants voiced that they knew which officer she spoke about. During that interaction, the police officer called Border Patrol.
She was detained on the spot and put into detention for two months. Her husband, a U.S. citizen, petitioned for her residency, but they continue to wait while Garcia continues her fight to overcome the trauma of her detention last year.

“Cuando yo llegué [al centro de detención], fue un susto porque había maestros, DACAs, enfermeras, residentes…había unas historias que se me ponían la piel chinita. Vi menores de edad detenidos sin sus papás. Era una cosa muy fea.”
“When I arrived [at the detention center], it was a shock because there were teachers, DACA recipients, nurses, residents…There were stories that gave me goosebumps. I saw minors detained without their parents. It was a terrible thing.”

“Sí, fue un trauma muy feo. Estoy yendo a terapia. Ahorita, gracias a Dios, ya pasó un año. Pero es una cosa tan difícil. Es muy feo salir a la calle con el miedo.”
“Yes, it was a truly awful trauma. I’m going to therapy. It’s been a year now, thank God. But it’s such a difficult thing. It’s horrible going out into the street feeling afraid.”

Mrs. Garcia’s next check-in was moved from August to October of this year. Her family’s lawyer is encouraging them to file for a petition again, but the cost of doing this a second time is daunting.

And the stories of impacted members in Starr County, Texas continue. After each testimonial was shared with Cuellar and team, the demand was clear: Rep. Cuellar needs to use every congressional tool to put an immediate end to raids and secure clear and permanent protections for all immigrant families.

It’s time to put a stop to this crackdown, which continues to criminalize workers and separate families at the border and all over the country.

“We want to make sure there’s accountability, and we want to make sure community members are protected,” Tania Chavez Camacho, Executive Director and President of LUPE, said.