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BROWNSVILLE — A line of approximately 100 individuals formed outside the city’s event center just before 9 a.m. in late October.
Miguel Torres and his former colleague, Diego Galvan, arrived at 6:30 a.m. to secure their positions at the front of the line. Inside, representatives from over 20 different employers, including SpaceX, NextDecade—an energy company constructing a natural gas liquefaction facility in Brownsville—local restaurants, law enforcement agencies, and higher education institutions were present.
Both men were seeking welding positions at SpaceX and felt optimistic about their chances. The aerospace company is anticipated to hire hundreds of workers in South Texas as it gears up for its next generation of the Starship vehicle and Super Heavy booster.
At 32, Torres finds himself unemployed. He and Galvan were part of the thousands laid off from Southwest Key Programs, a nonprofit that operated shelters for unaccompanied migrant children.
The nonprofit closed following a federal investigation initiated by the Biden administration, after officials from the Trump administration declared that the federal government would cease placing migrant children in its facilities.
Torres served as a case manager at the Brownsville shelter. Although he didn’t enjoy his job, it was financially rewarding, he noted.
“I’m not an immigrant, but I was taking care of immigrant children,” Torres shared. “Now that there are no immigrant kids coming here, I’m out of a job.”
Miguel Torres poses for a photo at a job fair in Brownsville on October 23, where he arrived early to secure a spot in line at SpaceX’s table, competing for a welding position. Hundreds explored job openings at the fair, with the economy on the border showing signs of both rising unemployment and job opportunities, according to data from the Federal Reserve.
Torres’ circumstances starkly contrast with those of a year prior, when voters in the Rio Grande Valley played a pivotal role in re-electing President Donald Trump. His narrative, along with many others, illustrates the profound impact elections can have on individuals’ lives.
The Valley, predominantly Hispanic and economically challenged, drew national attention post-election, sparking curiosity about the motivations behind the voters’ shift from long-standing Democratic support. Was it driven by economic concerns, border issues, faith, or a combination of factors?
Today, residents navigate a landscape that resembles the pre-2024 election era. Nevertheless, decisions made during the Trump administration have introduced new challenges. Economic data from the Dallas Federal Reserve indicates fluctuations in the economy, with both employment and unemployment rates rising since the begi
ing of the year. Construction projects are experiencing delays, and local restaurants face staffing shortages amid fears of immigration enforcement raids. Grocery prices remain stubbornly high, while foot traffic in downtown areas from Brownsville to McAllen has declined due to a significant drop in border crossings.
The border community is adapting. Residents are committed to showcasing that their home is more than just a political battleground or the center of immigration debates. They refuse to settle for mere survival, finding ways to advance their communities.
“The good will affect us”
Rosa Castañeda rummaged through a plastic bin filled with orange tablecloths stored in a shed near her small event space, preparing for an a
ual autumn gathering for women who regularly attend Zumba classes there.
For nearly a decade, Castañeda’s Brownsville venue has hosted various events, including birthday parties and baby showers, as well as Zumba sessions she participates in.
Transitioning from her previous life as a kindergarten teacher in Matamoros, across the border in Mexico, to a small business owner has been transformative for her. More than 30 years ago, she left her teaching career to join her now-husband, who is a U.S. citizen. Now at 59, Castañeda has also become a citizen and is a mother to four adult children.
With citizenship comes the right to vote, a responsibility Castañeda takes seriously. She has proudly voted for Trump in the last three presidential elections, appreciating what she perceives as his straightforward approach.
“I see him as being like Rosa,” she said, referring to herself, “very frank and direct.”
Trump often becomes a topic of conversation among the women in her Zumba classes, particularly when Castañeda introduces the subject. Many have recently expressed disillusionment with the president, stating they no longer support him. When Castañeda mentioned Trump’s proposal to distribute $2,000 checks to Americans as dividends from tariffs, she faced skepticism, with others challenging her to provide sources for her claims.
She embraces these discussions, enthusiastically sharing her optimistic views on Trump’s second term.
“Everything is part of a package, and one way or another, the good will affect us just as much as the bad,” she explained in Spanish.
As a person of faith, she utilizes her space to collect donations of snacks and food for a biblical school in Matamoros. She considers herself a positive individual and holds onto the hope that Trump will ultimately be beneficial for immigrants, potentially establishing a pathway to legal residency for those undocumented.
“We came to this place without speaking English, but we still worked hard and managed to get a house,” she remarked. “If I can do it, why can’t everyone else?”
“Impacted by national rhetoric”
On a Monday in early November, McAllen City Manager Isaac Tawil found himself contemplating Mexico. This is a common occurrence for someone managing a city located just 12 miles from the Texas-Mexico border. However, on this particular day, he was focused on restoring a co
ection that had recently deteriorated.
The previous week, the U.S. Department of Transportation suspended 13 airline routes operated by Mexican carriers that linked several U.S. cities, including McAllen, to Mexico City.
This abrupt suspension stemmed from Mexico’s alleged noncompliance with a bilateral aviation agreement. The transportation department accused Mexico of illegally canceling and freezing U.S. carrier flights for three years while simultaneously expanding new routes and services between the two nations.
The decision faced bipartisan criticism from the Valley’s congressional delegation, prompting Tawil to spend the weekend gathering information about the implications for the city and discussing the necessary steps to reinstate those routes.
On that day, he engaged with various airlines to gauge their interest in resuming the McAllen-Mexico City route that the Mexican carrier had abandoned.
“So much of the economy here is driven by our co
ection to Mexico,” he emphasized. “For our businesses to engage with their counterparts across the border, and for our community to have direct air access to Mexico, whether for leisure, vacation, or business, is crucial.”
Tawil, who became city manager in August 2024, has spent about 15 years working in the city attorney’s office. He believes that a city leader must have a vision, hoping that McAllen will evolve during his tenure.
In a recent address to the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, Tawil acknowledged local businesses’ worries about tariffs and declining sales.
While sales tax revenue increased during the last fiscal year, the growth was not as substantial as in previous years. Concerned about potential disruptions, the city is anticipating no sales tax growth next year.
Despite these challenges, McAllen is pursuing projects to benefit the community and commercial interests.
The city has unveiled plans for a mixed-use development aimed at bringing luxury residential units, retail spaces, and entertainment venues to a 63-acre site. This project, decades in the making, has finally secured a $230 million investment, with hopes that it will attract tourism and elevate McAllen’s profile beyond the national immigration debate.
“People’s behavior is greatly influenced by national rhetoric, and it always has been,” Tawil stated. “Whether it’s airline flights, border issues, or any other factors affecting the global economy, we must focus on building a solid, self-sustaining community that is, as much as possible, insulated from these external pressures.”
“There’s literally so much”
Just 30 minutes before opening, baristas at The Caffeine Library were preparing the coffee machine and cleaning behind the counter, all part of their daily routine.
Industrial light bulbs hung from the ceiling above a row of tables on one side of the shop. The opposite wall featured shelves filled with books for sale, while a few couches provided cozy spots for leisurely reading.
Only a month in operation, The Caffeine Library, a unique hybrid of a coffee shop and bookstore, has quickly become a welcomed addition to the community.
Founder Jaime Montelongo began documenting the journey to opening day alongside his brother on TikTok, even expressing some initial apprehension about sharing their progress online.
“It was perhaps a bit overwhelming,” Montelongo recalled. “I thought maybe I shouldn’t post because we weren’t ready, and I felt really nervous.”
At 26, Montelongo pursued the dream of opening a coffee shop
