Hispanic voters helped bring Trump to power - in Texas, the tide may be turning

October 23, 2026

Father Roy Snipes, a long-serving priest known as the "Cowboy Priest" in Texas's Rio Grande Valley, is speaking out against aggressive immigration enforcement in his predominantly Hispanic community. Texas has become the epicenter of ICE arrest activity, accounting for roughly one-third of all nationwide arrests according to recent government data. The heavy-handed deportation tactics, which have affected working families and students rather than just violent criminals, are causing political backlash among Hispanic voters who previously supported Trump in record numbers.

Who is affected

Hispanic worshippers and community members in the Rio Grande Valley
Students whose parents are being deported
Educators teaching affected students
Poor, working immigrants being detained while commuting to work
Law-abiding, productive immigrants facing deportation
Father Roy Snipes and his congregation at La Lomita Catholic Chapel
Mario Guerrero and other Hispanic voters who previously supported Trump
Democratic and Republican political parties competing in Texas

What action is being taken

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is conducting arrests and deportations in Texas
Father Roy Snipes is preaching against immigration enforcement actions during church services
The Trump administration is enforcing border security measures
Polls and surveys are being conducted measuring Hispanic voter sentiment

Why it matters

This represents a potentially significant political realignment in Texas, a crucial state where Hispanic voters gave Trump historic levels of support (55%) in 2024 based on border security promises. The disconnect between campaign promises to target "the worst of the worst" criminals and the reality of enforcement targeting working families and productive community members is eroding that support. If Democrats can successfully turn the tide in Texas midterm elections, it could signal broader national implications for Republican strategy on immigration and their relationship with Hispanic voters, who represent a growing and increasingly important voting bloc.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article beyond the November 3rd midterm elections mentioned as an upcoming event where this political shift will be tested.

Read full article from source: BBC