New study shows Texans' views on Trump administration approach to immigration

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- After ABC13 interviewed Lorena, she asked us to hide her face. She's been legally in Houston from Spain for the past 7 years, but she's not a U.S. citizen, and her family is concerned.

"It's not only to pick up people who are not supposed to be here," she said. "They're picking up people that are from this country, but that's the fear."

Immigration Attorney Raed Gonzalez said he's seen a large increase in U.S. citizens calling his office with questions and concerns. He said they worry about travel and documentation.

"When you get United States citizens concerned about their ability to remain in the United States, you know that there is something wrong," he said.

Houston Mayor Whitmire has said police will only get involved with ICE if somebody they arrest has an immigration warrant.

But what exactly that means is unclear, especially when it comes to ramped-up enforcement, which doesn't require local participation anyway.

According to the Deportation Data Project, ICE arrests in the Houston area increased by 130% from 2024 to 2025.

Data shows that, in that year, ICE arrested 40% more convicted criminals, but also more than 8 times the number of those with no criminal history.

At this week's city council meeting, more than 70 Houstonians signed up to speak, most of them to denounce ICE.

A survey from the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs last year shows:

87% of Texans support increasing deportations of undocumented immigrants convicted of a felony.

69% support more pathways for legal immigration.

Another Hobby School survey from October shows 62% of white Texans, 42% of Latino Texans, and 23% Black Texans say they support the Trump administration's approach to immigration.

Almost half of all respondents say current policies will reduce crime, one-fourth say it will increase crime, and just over a quarter say it will have no impact.

Polls show significant disagreement among Texans over the best ways to address immigration, but they also show that it matters.

Texans across the board want immigration to be a top priority for federal officials.

"We're being bombarded with everything immigration," Gonzalez said. "Every TV station, TikTok, every reel, of these arrests that are happening.

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