Many Harris County voters said ICE enforcement, Temporary Protected Status and work visas are top immigration issues driving them to the polls — and for many families, the stakes are personal.
Two women who spoke with KPRC 2 said they come from migrant families and cast their ballots on behalf of those in their community who cannot vote.
“When I went in there, I thought about them, and all the people that are suffering, because they are getting split,” one voter said.
Immigration was top of mind.
“Definitely, the United States is a country made up of immigrants. I myself am one, and I think keeping the dignity of any human being alive is an important factor,” another voter at Bayland park said.
TPS changes affect millions
KPRC 2 met with CRECEN, a resource center for Latinos in Houston, which provided the latest data on Temporary Protected Status.
At the beginning of 2025, 17 countries were eligible for TPS, benefiting 1.2 million people in the United States. Since then, under President Donald Trump’s administration, 13 of those 17 countries have had their TPS designation canceled — affecting roughly 1.1 million people.
Four countries remain under TPS: El Salvador, Ukraine, Sudan and Lebanon, covering approximately 343,800 people. That number could change soon.
El Salvador has the most TPS recipients in the country. KPRC 2 spoke with two U.S. citizens born in El Salvador who also voted and are calling for a change in immigration policy.
“Inmigracion,” said one voter.
Translation: Immigration.
“Como andan persiguiendo a la gente trabajadora,” she continued.
Translation: They are persecuting and chasing hardworking people.
Another voter described the divide he sees within his own community.
He explained that while he is a U.S. citizen, others from his native country hold TPS — and those individuals are living in a kind of limbo, worried about what comes next.
Work visas also on the line
Work visas are another immigration-related issue drawing attention. This summer, a $100,000 H-1B visa fee was proposed under President Donald Trump’s administration but was quickly struck down by a federal judge.
