ICE Arrests 25 Undocumented Immigrants at Texas Construction Sites as Raids Intensify Nationwide

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, with support from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested 25 migrants at two construction sites in South Padre Island and Brownsville.

In a statement following the arrests, ICE said the individuals — citizens of Mexico and Honduras — are currently pending removal to their home countries.

The operation was conducted as part of ICE's worksite enforcement strategy, which, according to the agency, is "focused on reducing illegal employment, holding employers accountable and protecting employment opportunities for the country's lawful workforce."

"Today's arrests reflect ICE's unwavering commitment to upholding the integrity of our immigration system and protecting our nation's workforce," said Craig Larrabee, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Antonio.

"Individuals who violate federal immigration and employment laws not only undermine fair labor standards but also pose potential security and safety risks," he added. "ICE will continue to work with our partners to identify and investigate those who disregard the law and exploit our country's systems for personal or commercial gain."

The operation comes amid an escalating immigration crackdown under the Trump administration. In recent weeks, ICE has expanded enforcement tactics beyond workplaces to public spaces including courtrooms, restaurants and schools.

Critics have raised concerns about increasingly aggressive enforcement strategies aimed at meeting a daily arrest quota of 3,000, pushed by top administration officials, the tactics have triggered a response from some communities across the country.

For example, in San Diego's South Park neighborhood, residents protested earlier this week after ICE arrested two undocumented immigrants during a worksite raid at the Buona Forchetta Italian restaurant. The protest was followed by a press conference on June 4 in downtown San Diego, where immigration attorneys, faith leaders and community activists denounced the raids.

"The way that this administration is dealing with immigrants — terrorizing families and communities — is wrong and inhumane," said Imam Taha Hassane of the Islamic Center of San Diego, as reported by Fox 5.

Beyond workplace raids, ICE has been making arrests in and around courtrooms across the country. From New York to Arizona, immigration agents have reportedly detained individuals immediately after court hearings, sometimes presenting paperwork stating a change in legal status just moments after cases are dismissed.

That was the case for Yasmir Márquez, a Venezuelan national arrested in May outside an El Paso courthouse. According to immigration advocates, agents informed him of a change in his legal status minutes after he exited a scheduled hearing.

"All this is to accelerate detentions and expedite removals," said Wilfredo Allen, a Miami-based immigration attorney with decades of experience representing migrants in court.

According to a data seen by CBS News, ICE has reached over 100,000 arrests since the beginning of the second Trump administration. The agency recorded over 2,000 arrests on Tuesday and Wednesday alone — the highest number in a two-day period in ICE's history.