Jessica Vuittonet, a South Texas coffee shop owner who once rallied for Donald Trump, now says she will never support him again after federal immigration agents detained her brother. The incident, which occurred earlier this year following a routine check-in with immigration officials, has shifted her perspective on the administration’s deportation strategy. Vuittonet, who runs a business in San Benito, told CBS News that she cast her first ballot for Trump in the 2024 election. She stated that her decision was driven by religious reasons. While she acknowledged knowing that the President planned to carry out deportations, she maintained that she expected these actions to target criminals rather than, in her words, “innocent people.” The detention of her brother, who was later deported, left her feeling betrayed. She described the experience as a situation that “felt like a punch to the gut.” Vuittonet noted that the impact of the policy extended well beyond her brother, affecting her parents and his children. She expressed that her world “truly does go upside down” as a result of the crackdown. She also mentioned holding resentment toward those she previously rallied with for the President. Her experience is part of a broader trend in the Rio Grande Valley Republicans are concerned that the aggressive deportation campaign is alienating Latino voters. Many of these voters were key to the party’s gains in the region just two years ago. A recent poll from CBS News indicates that nearly 60 per cent of Latinos believe the current administration has deported more individuals than they originally expected. Texas resident Jessica Vuittonet says she regrets voting for President Trump in 2024, in part because of ICE’s aggressive crackdown.She told @camiloreports she expected ICE to go after criminals — “not hardworking people.” pic.twitter.com/VvADFxvdK0— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 23, 2026 The economic reality in the border region appears to be changing as well. Benny Melendez, a local construction company owner who supported Trump in 2024, shared that his business operations have slowed significantly. He now requires judicial warrants for agents to enter his job sites. Melendez explained that building a home now takes about a year, whereas it took roughly four months before the recent enforcement efforts began. Reflecting on his political choices, Melendez said, “I regret my vote for Biden. Now I regret my vote for Trump.” He added, “What other options do we got?” Local leaders are taking notice of this growing frustration. Javier Villalobos, the Republican mayor of McAllen, suggested that the crackdown is the most pressing issue for his constituents. He noted that the situation creates “not a good picture” for the party and described the campaign as “a crackdown on the Hispanic community.” These concerns arrive as Americans prepare to head to the polls for midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3. The outcomes in South Texas races, including the contest for the US Senate seat between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton, could reflect how these shifting sentiments influence voter turnout. White House border czar Tom Homan recently told CBS News that he does not prioritize the political implications of these elections. He stated that his primary objective is to “keep that border secure and enforce immigration law.” Administration officials have defended the ongoing operations, frequently pointing out that the President campaigned on the promise of expanding deportations. Meanwhile, voters like Vuittonet continue to voice their disappointment, signaling a potential shift in the political landscape of the region.