Tax-contribution data shows undocumented immigrants collectively pay billions in taxes each year, supporting schools, infrastructure, and public services across the country — including states like Texas.

This shift makes clear: immigration enforcement has surged to the top of federal prosecutorial priorities.

This dramatic increase in ICE referrals, rising from single-digit figures in 2024 to over one hundred in 2025, reflects a broader tension between public safety priorities and immigrant rights in one of the most diverse cities in America.