Texas Border Town Turns to Trump, But Local Support Shows Signs of Friction

Eagle Pass, Texas, a historic settlement along the Rio Grande, became a focal point of US immigration debates when its Hispanic-majority Maverick County voted Republican for the first time in over a century. Donald Trump captured 59% of the vote in 2024, buoyed by promises to crack down on illegal immigration and enforce border security.

Residents initially praised the shift. Federal and state measures dramatically reduced river crossings, emergency calls, and drownings compared with 2023, when the town faced record migration spikes. The local fire department reported over 400 emergency calls and eight drownings in 2023; this year, those numbers dropped to under 100 calls and three deaths.

However, some longtime residents now voice unease over the Trump administration’s aggressive mass deportation efforts. Parents have been arrested while with children, and US citizens have been accidentally swept up, raising questions about the human and ethical cost of border enforcement.

Operation Lone Star, initiated by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, deployed troops, razor wire, and floating buoys along the Rio Grande to curb crossings. While it reduced migration numbers—border patrol recorded only 30 daily crossings in September 2025, down from over 2,300 in December 2023—locals worry about the environmental impact and militarization of their river. Jessie Fuentes, a kayaking business owner, filed a lawsuit against the Texas government, citing damage to the Rio Grande.

Community members reflect a mix of relief and concern. Ricardo Lopez, 79, noted that while Trump “fixed the problem” of uncontrolled migration, the methods employed have left a lasting impact on both the town and its people. Analysts highlight Maverick County as a microcosm of shifting political dynamics in Texas, where Republicans are attempting to gain ground in diverse, traditionally Democratic areas.

As Eagle Pass navigates the effects of tightened border enforcement, residents are left weighing security gains against human costs, environmental concerns, and the social consequences of a heavily militarized border.