The San Antonio-New Braunfels area is continuing to grow in population, albeit more slowly now amid a drop in immigration, recent U.S. Census Bureau data shows.

Why it matters: International migration is a significant contributor to San Antonio's growth, Lloyd Potter, the Texas State Demographer based at UT San Antonio, tells Axios.

• The data offers the best look yet at how tighter immigration enforcement under the Trump administration is affecting America's demographic makeup.

The big picture: International migration fell in 9 out of 10 U.S. counties from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, compared with the prior period, per the Census Bureau.

• That drop is hitting large metros hardest because when people move from abroad, they tend to settle in bigger cities. That's especially true of San Antonio as it's a large city close to the U.S.-Mexico border, Potter says.

Zoom in: The San Antonio metro gained more than 38,000 residents from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025, the latest census data shows. That's the ninth-highest growth in the country in that time in raw numbers.

Yes, but: It's a slowdown from the more than 47,000 new residents the area added in the same period from 2023 to 2024. The year before that, the San Antonio area drew about 48,000 new metro residents.

What they're saying: "I'm fairly certain we'll see it decline even more this coming year," Potter says of the San Antonio metro's growth, given that the latest figures captured only a half-year of increased immigration enforcement.

State of play: Growth in San Antonio's suburban counties like Comal, home to New Braunfels, is more dependent on domestic migration than international. Its boom might not take as much of a hit from stricter immigration enforcement, Potter says.

• Comal County is a big factor in the San Antonio metro's overall growth, ensuring the region continues to grow.

The bottom line: San Antonio is still a magnet for migration, but the forces driving its growth are shifting.

Texas already has one of the country's first AI laws on the books, but Americans say they still want more guardrails.

The big picture: Nearly two-thirds of Americans now use AI regularly and want stronger oversight, but are conflicted on how far regulation should go, according to a new national survey from AI governance nonprofit Fathom shared exclusively with Axios.

By the numbers: 40% of respondents say they're excited about AI, while 23% say they're concerned. Another 35% feel both.

• 90% say it's important that AI products for kids should be verified as "safe" before they're used.

Catch up quick: Texas lawmakers moved ahead of Washington last year, becoming the third state to adopt a comprehensive AI law.

• The law, which took effect Jan. 1 and applies broadly to companies doing business in Texas, bans harmful AI systems that encourage a person to commit physical self-harm or engage in criminal activity.
• It also prohibits discrimination, constitutional rights violations and exploitation of minors.

Yes, but: The policy gaps are already showing up.

• Texas lawmakers also banned deepfakes in campaign ads, but AI-generated political content is still spreading in 2026 races.

The bottom line: AI policy is moving but not as fast as the tech.

Methodology

A former campaign political director for U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-San Antonio) says he asked her for nude photos in 2020, years before his affair with a congressional staffer that led Gonzales to not seek reelection. (Express-News 🔑)

⏸️ Northside ISD, the city's largest school district, paused bond-funded renovations at nine elementary schools due to low enrollment. (SA Report)

🐟 The Lighthouse Seafood on the West Side will serve its final plates today after about a decade in business. (MySA)

▶️ Texas will launch a statewide food truck operating permit on July 1, a move business owners say will reduce red tape. (Texas Tribune)

👋 Megan here. I wrote last week about how frustrating it sometimes is to be a pedestrian in San Antonio, which has some of the least safe streets in the country. It struck a nerve with many of you.

Here's what some readers had to say about navigating our roads both on foot and by car.

"I observe drivers regularly running red lights, speeding and cutting people off," Elaine D. says. "I also live inside loop 410 and stopped riding my bicycle because it's not safe. And forget about the death trap 1604…I avoid it."

Mike B. thinks that "woefully inadequate" street lighting and "barely (if at all) visible" lane markers contribute to the problem.

Margaret K. notes how pedestrian safety can impact local businesses: "Now that Broadway isn't going to be narrowed, crossing Broadway to get to the businesses and (residences) across from the Pearl is now either very difficult or downright impossible."

The bottom line: Stay safe out there, San Antonio.

👋 Madalyn here! One of my favorite pre-Fiesta rituals is a stop at Amols' Party & Fiesta Favors.

The vibe: The store near San Pedro Springs Park is a San Antonio staple year-round, but in the weeks leading up to the city's biggest party, the aisles are buzzing with people loading up on papel picado, flower crowns, medals — you name it.

• I stopped by Saturday right before it poured and it was still packed. Rain or shine, Fiesta prep waits for no one.

What's next: I tend to get a head start on Fiesta, but you still have plenty of time to stock up.

• Amols' is even extending its hours — open as late as 6:30pm on weekdays — to make sure everyone's ready to party by the time Fiesta kicks off on April 16.