Many Hispanic Americans along the US-Mexican border have voiced strong support for President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, insisting they received what they voted for.
In the 2024 presidential election, Trump flipped several border counties that hadn’t backed a Republican president in decades—some for over a century. Residents in these Latino communities pointed to President Joe Biden’s lax border control as a major factor for this shift, expressing satisfaction with Trump’s rigorous approach to illegal immigration.
“Yeah, I’m so happy,” said Perla Bazan, a lifelong resident of Star County, Texas, reflecting on Trump’s stance on immigration.
Star County backed Trump in 2024, marking the first time in 132 years that the county supported a Republican presidential candidate, the last occurrence being in 1892.
Star County is predominantly Latino, with Hispanics making up over 97% of the population. Interestingly, despite media narratives suggesting fear surrounding Trump’s immigration policies, many in Star County seem to appreciate his tough stance.
Bazan, who has witnessed various waves of illegal immigration during her decades living so close to the border, remarked that the situation under Biden was significantly worse. She described a moment when her family was alarmed by a helicopter pursuing illegal immigrants nearby.
“My daughter said, ‘Mama, what’s going on?’ and I said, ‘I don’t know,'” Bazan remembered. “When she went out, there were so many illegals running right down the sidewalk. I told her, ‘Close the door and lock it.'”
During Biden’s administration, Bazan noted hearing gunshots throughout the day, which she believed indicated possible illegal crossings. She mentioned that by the end of Biden’s first term, her community was eager for change.
“I’m tired. I need someone to come in. He doesn’t sugarcoat things; he tells the facts,” Bazan stated regarding Trump’s direct communication style. “You need to present the truth.”
Bazan, whose family has lived in the area for seven generations, isn’t alone in her sentiments.
“I noticed the border crisis had significantly decreased since Trump took office,” remarked Amanda Garcia, a San Isidro resident.
Garcia recounted incidents where illegal immigration affected her family’s property, including a case where a vehicle transporting illegal immigrants damaged her ranch’s fence.
“I was relieved that we weren’t home during that incident,” she shared, explaining how her stepfather had to invest heavily in repairs after similar events.
In a serious incident, cross-border violence nearly endangered Garcia’s husband while he was hunting on their land during the holidays. He was confronted by individuals connected to a cartel, who initially threatened him before ultimately letting him go.
“He just raised his hand and left, signaling he meant no harm,” Garcia explained.
Garcia recounted another challenging encounter when an immigrant mother approached her, pleading for help. Even seemingly innocuous interactions could have significant repercussions.
“We’ve had many instances where mothers ask for food or to use the phone. You do it, and suddenly you’re inundated with calls all day,” she said, “What we found most effective was to call border patrol.”
Despite the challenging circumstances, Star County, consistently ranked as one of Texas’ poorest, managed to break away from a long-standing Democrat dominance. The shift in partisan loyalty was stark.
In 2016, only 19% of voters in the county supported Trump. By 2020, that figure rose to 47%, and by 2024, it surged to 57%, as he decisively beat then-President Kamala Harris.
Local Republican leader Toni Trevino indicated that the border issue was one of several factors that pushed residents away from Democrats.
“The people here are conservative, and the Democratic message just didn’t resonate,” Trevino stated. “They’ve seen what Trump can do and preferred it over Biden’s approach.”
Trevino’s husband, Benito, noted that even traditional Democratic voters chose not to support the top ticket candidate.
“About 2,000 Democratic voters didn’t vote for Kamala,” he observed, referencing the decline in Harris’s votes compared to Biden’s in 2020. “While many may not have switched to Trump, a significant number simply didn’t support Kamala.”
The election outcomes in southern Texas mirrored broader trends nationwide, as Latino voters—historically a Democratic stronghold—showed increasing support for the GOP.
Trump garnered just 28% of the national Latino vote in 2016, a considerable loss to Hillary Clinton. By 2020, he improved that number slightly to 36%, but in November 2024, he made significant gains, winning 48% of the Latino vote.
This marked the best performance for a Republican presidential candidate among Latino voters in recent history.
Trump’s focus on immigration appears to resonate with many Latinos, contrasting sharply with the past experiences of the party. Some argue that the Democrats underestimated Latino sentiments on these issues.
As per a study by the University of Texas and the Texas Political Project, it seems many Latinos not only support Trump but align with his strict immigration policies, with a notable percentage advocating for immediate deportation of illegal immigrants.
For longtime residents and recent legal immigrants alike, there’s a shared skepticism toward those opposed to immigration laws.
“It’s not a problem if you come to our country, but do it legitimately,” Bazan insisted. “Don’t use your child to garner sympathy when it comes to the consequences of your choices.”
