Press Release 

For Immediate Release: September 22, 2026 

Contact: Giselle Tervalon, press@txilc.org, Voice: 512-537-2957 

Austin – Last week, the Texas Immigration Law Council and the Texas Civil Rights Project filed an amicus brief on behalf of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), and the Texas United Auto Community Alliance (TUACA), to oppose prolonged detention due to the human and economic consequences for Texas. 

The brief was filed in support of three Texas fathers of U.S. citizen children who entered the country without inspection and have no criminal history, yet they were subjected to mandatory, indefinite immigration detention without a bond hearing. The brief calls on the court to uphold due process and recognize how prolonged detention destabilizes families, communities, and Texas’ economy   

“Prolonged immigration detention is not only a matter of due process. It has serious consequences for workers, families, employers, and the broader economy. When individuals are unnecessarily removed from their jobs and communities for extended periods, businesses lose valued employees, families lose financial stability, and local economies suffer. Through this amicus brief, we urge the court to recognize these far-reaching harms and uphold immigration policies that respect both the rule of law and the essential contributions of immigrant workers,” said Kristin Etter, Director of Policy and Legal Services at the Texas Immigration Law Council. 

Key Points from the Amicus Brief 

• Shrinking Workforce:
  Increased ICE activity paired with prolonged detention has shrunk construction crews in South Texas, delaying projects as workers are afraid to show up at jobsites.  

• Higher Cost of Construction:
  The loss of skilled construction workers due to prolonged detention is making housing scarcer and more expensive. Enforcement has driven up costs and led to higher home prices.  

• Economic Impact:
  The amici emphasize the essential role immigrant workers play in our economy and argue that the prolonged detention of skilled workers leads to higher consumer costs for housing and other products, placing a broader strain on economic mobility and small businesses.  

• Constitutional and Legal Arguments:
  The Constitution requires courts to weigh the economic costs of prolonged detention under the prevailing standard in Mathews v. Eldridge.  

If members of the press would like to speak with any of the amici or other signees, please contact Giselle Tervalon at the contact information below to coordinate interviews. 

Link to amicus.
Link to TxILC blog. 

Media Contact:
Giselle Tervalon
Senior Communications & Content Strategist, Texas Immigration Law Council
press@txilc.org| 512-537-2957| www.txilc.org 

### 

The Texas Immigration Law Council is a statewide nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization formed in 2023 to promote and protect the rights of immigrants and refugees of all nationalities in Texas. The Council promotes meaningful access to justice for immigrants and refugees by serving as a statewide immigrant legal resource center. The Council brings together constituencies across the political spectrum to advance constructive dialogue on immigrant solutions for Texas.