New immigration program sparks concerns

TYLER — On Tuesday morning, just one week after Smith County Precinct 4 decided to join the 287(g) Task Force Program — which permits local agents to enforce immigration protocols — concerns from employees and business owners are surfacing. According to our news partner KETK, a meeting, hosted by the Tyler Area Builders Association, brought together restaurant owners, hospitality and construction workers, along with other industry leaders. Among the attendees was Bob Westbrook, a member of the Texas Restaurant Association, who expressed his worries about how employee absenteeism could impact the economy.

Westbrook stated, “It’s important that our employees feel safe going to the grocery store, that they feel safe going to school, that they feel safe coming to work because we desperately need them. If not, businesses lose essential workers; service slows, projects stall, and the economic ripple affects every resident.”

This issue is hitting the construction industry and housing market particularly hard. Kerry Hamblett from the Tyler Area Builders Association noted that the already minimally staffed construction sector could face even greater shortages.

Hamblett elaborated, “If it takes us six months to build a starter home instead of two or three, then the price will rise exponentially.”

One local hotel is grappling with staffing challenges. Amy Patel, a local hotelier, shared, “Unfortunately, we have to close down rooms, mark floors as dirty, reduce half of the building’s operation and stop serving breakfast, which is affecting our brand standards.”

Conversely, restaurants like Ruby’s are fully staffed but remain anxious about the impending decision. Manuel Yanez from Ruby’s remarked, “All of our people are very dedicated, and even though they may feel the risk or they may have that fear, I think everyone has really shown up to work. It’s obviously a livelihood for them as well. They’ve just been brave to continue to try to go and be as normal as possible.”

The Tyler Area Builders Association has reached out to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, advocating for a return to the lower-level force program. Moreover, TABA is facilitating connections for those in need with legal aid resources.