Javier Villalobos, the Republican mayor of McAllen, Texas, has expressed concern that President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration policies could potentially harm the US economy.
While supporting efforts to deport violent criminals who have entered the country illegally, Villalobos warned against broader deportation measures targeting productive workers, citing their contribution to the nation’s economic strength, according to an article published by WashingtonExaminer.
In a recent interview with WFAA, a local Texas media outlet, Villalobos emphasized the value of some undocumented immigrants to the workforce.
“There are a lot of people who can be very productive, and we should try to help them come here and produce for us and help their families,” he said. However, he reiterated his opposition to the idea of allowing people with criminal records to remain in the country.
Villalobos, elected more than three years ago as McAllen’s first Republican mayor in decades, represents a significant political shift in the predominantly Hispanic city in Hidalgo County.
The Rio Grande Valley city, a key border area, has traditionally been a Democratic stronghold.
Turning to the world of work, Villalobos noted the decline of the work ethic among Americans, echoing recent statements by Trump ally Vivek Ramaswamy. While Mr. Ramaswamy advocates reversing “lazy” cultural trends to boost the workforce, Mr. Villalobos favors allowing some undocumented immigrants to fill labor shortages underlining their essential role in supporting businesses and maintaining economic stability, adding, “I’ve seen it time and time again.”
Villalobos noted that McAllen may not feel the immediate effects of mass deportations, as many undocumented immigrants pass through the city on their way to better-paying jobs elsewhere. However, he warned that Trump’s proposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada – aimed at imposing stricter border security – could disrupt the region’s robust import-export economy.
“The State of Texas conducted a study of traffic flows in the Rio Grande Valley,” explains Villalobos.
“In the space of a few days, trucks passing through here deliver all over the United States. Slowing down this traffic would not only have an impact on the Rio Grande Valley, but on the economy as a whole.”
Despite Villalobos’ reservations, Hidalgo County has shown growing support for Trump.
In the 2024 presidential election, Trump flipped the county, increasing his electoral support by 10 percentage points over 2020, according to NBC exit polls, WashingtonExaminer recalled.
This report is based on information provided by the Washington Examiner.