The South Texas city of Laredo has seen its economic growth take a dip, falling short of expectations amid a steep decline in international migration, among other factors. Businesses in the downtown area are feeling the strain, with sales dropping by about 60% this year. The once-boomtown of Laredo has seen its population growth come to a near halt after seeing its largest population jump in two decades, largely driven by a decline in international migration. This decline is likely an effect of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration and mass deportation efforts. Other border communities have experienced similar slowdowns. The Laredo metro area’s growth of just 0.2% was the slowest it had been since 2020-21, said George Hayward, a demographer with the U.S. Census Bureau. The drop in growth is in sharp contrast from when it jumped the year prior, between July 2023 and July 2024, when the Laredo metro area saw one of its biggest jumps in growth in more than 20 years with a population increase of 3.2%, largely driven by international migration. The decline in international migration could also prompt Laredo to lose out on workers and taxpayers.
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Laredo’s growth stalls under Trump’s immigration crackdown
The South Texas city’s economic growth has taken a dip, falling short of expectations amid a steep decline in international migration, among other factors.
Published May 24, 2026 at 2:00pm by Berenice Garcia
