Following the ICE raid on Thursday, June 26, at Texas A&M University–Kingsville, The Corpus Christi Caller-Timesreported that 27 contractors were apprehended. This number was confirmed in an email from Homeland Security on June 30, which stated that 22 individuals remained in custody from those detained-on university grounds (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 2025).
“The worksite enforcement operation was related to suspected violations of U.S. employment law by a contractor,” according to Homeland Security Investigations, as reported by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times.
Cotton Global Disaster Solutions (Cotton GDS), a Houston-based contractor hired to remediate fire damage on campus, remains present on university property. However, the number of workers has decreased significantly since Thursday’s raid.
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for Texas A&M University Kingsville Adriana Garza-Flores said in statement to The South Texan “Cotton Commercial renders services across the A&M System under a Master Service Agreement. The individuals detained are Cotton Commercial employees, and, as such, the institution would not receive updates from federal authorities on their current statuses. Any questions regarding these individuals should be directed to Cotton Commercial. The University will always prioritize the safety of our students, staff and faculty and will continue to issue communications as necessary to keep everyone informed.”
In response to the apprehensions, a protest took place on University Boulevard on June 30. More than two dozen demonstrators, including members of the student body and surrounding community, gathered to denounce the incident. Protesters held signs and distributed informational cards explaining what to do if approached by ICE.
“I’m here to support the students. It’s shocking to me that ICE would come in and raid a college campus—it seems entirely inappropriate,” Ellison Powers, a protestor said. They also addressed the university’s response: “So far, they have been supportive. They’ve been transparent about the raid. They let us know how many people were picked up, and they also came out and welcomed us and said, ‘You’re welcome to be here.’ We’re not here to protest the university—we are here to protest ICE,” Powers continued.
Pamela Myers a protester handed out information on what to do if ICE approaches
“They are directions on what to do when you are stopped by ICE, so that you know your rights,” Myers said. “I was sad. It’s going to discourage people from going to school here. It’s taking away our people. Whoever they are, they are our people—and they are taking them away without proper authority. It’s just like Nazi Germany: they came for one group, then another group of people. They will just keep coming,” Myers continued.