“It doesn’t matter what my culture is or my color is,” one demonstrator said. “I’m still a person just like everybody else.”
AUSTIN, Texas — Demonstrators gathered at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on Saturday afternoon to protest deportations, as immigration enforcement operations have been ramping up across Central Texas.
The demonstrators are fighting back against the recent changes in immigration policy in the nation and the state.
“It is a fight we all should fight, regardless of whether we know somebody personally or not,” Lisa Debruyne said. “We all live here, and these policies affect us all in some form, not just immigrants.”
The Austin Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and other groups organized the protest outside the Capitol. PSL is the same group that organized a protest last weekend in Pflugerville outside a possible Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.
“We’re the heart of Texas, and we need to show that we cannot be held back and frightened,” Debruyne said.
Since Jan. 20, when President Donald Trump took office, federal authorities have conducted immigration operations in the Austin area, raising concerns among migrant communities.
“We’re people as well. We have feelings. If I bleed right now, it will be red, just like everybody else,” Ray Coronado said. “I’m just like everybody else. It doesn’t matter what my culture is or my color is. I’m still a person just like everybody else.”
Attendees waved flags and held signs highlighting the contributions of immigrants and their families.
“We came here and built America, so we don’t deserve none of this,” Coronado said. “We built the city. We built the Capitol – immigrants that came here in search of a better life.”
It is the latest in a string of protests over this issue here in Central Texas. Last week, a protest in North Austin took place in response to the Trump administration’s executive orders impacting immigration.
The immigrant community says there is a fear that comes with ICE’s operations.
“It doesn’t stop at like the deportation and the ICE coming in,” Debruyne said. “The policies that they are trying to put in, it spreads past just the immigrants.”
The group marched from the Capitol to the J.J. Pickle Federal Building, where ICE is holding some immigrants.
In Austin, more than 30 arrests have been made since the first days of the new policy, according to Assistant City Manager Eddie Garcia. Garcia said the city has been told those arrested have a criminal history. City leaders confirmed to KVUE that ICE remains active in the area.
Protesters said they wanted to send a message of support to the immigrant community.
“We stand side by side with you because this is everybody’s fight,” Debruyne said. “None of us are free until everybody is free.”
Austin police were on hand for the march, blocking off roads as the protesters made their way through downtown.
Coronado and Sophia Lopez were among the dozens protesting the immigration crackdowns. Coronado said he is a proud Mexican and wants to support his people and culture.
“All I want is just peace in the world,” he said. “All I want is to be treated like everybody else and not like a person in a cage where they say I don’t belong here and bring me back to wherever I was.”
ICE officials recently said in San Antonio they “target only individuals with criminal records, convictions, gang members” and threats to national security. They also added there are no raids or checkpoints.
