A significant protest occurred on Saturday behind the fences of a Texas immigration detention facility, where dozens of immigrant families gathered in support of a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father recently taken into custody in Minnesota. The rally took place at the South Texas Family Residential Center, where families displayed their frustrations through signs reading Libertad para los niños (Liberty for the kids) and chanted, Libertad! (Let us go). Eric Lee, an immigration attorney visiting a client there, shared that the protest aimed to advocate for dignity and respect within the legal framework for immigrants.
Maria Alejandra Montoya Sanchez, detained with her child since October, expressed the importance of their message, emphasizing they are immigrants deserving humane treatment and not viewed as criminals. The detention of young Liam Conejo Ramos and his father has sparked further debate over immigration policy in the U.S., especially under the Trump administration, with conflicting narratives regarding their arrest.
Earlier that day in Minneapolis, an incident involving a federal immigration officer led to the shooting of a man, amplifying the city's existing tensions from prior violent encounters. Demonstrators outside the detention center also cited the adverse conditions faced by families, including inadequate food and medical care, contributing to their urgent plea for change and compassion in U.S. immigration practices.
Lee later noted the courage of families who chose to demonstrate amidst fears of retaliation due to the detention conditions. Reports indicate that many children at the facility are being held beyond the legal limits, highlighting ongoing issues within the immigration detention system.
Maria Alejandra Montoya Sanchez, detained with her child since October, expressed the importance of their message, emphasizing they are immigrants deserving humane treatment and not viewed as criminals. The detention of young Liam Conejo Ramos and his father has sparked further debate over immigration policy in the U.S., especially under the Trump administration, with conflicting narratives regarding their arrest.
Earlier that day in Minneapolis, an incident involving a federal immigration officer led to the shooting of a man, amplifying the city's existing tensions from prior violent encounters. Demonstrators outside the detention center also cited the adverse conditions faced by families, including inadequate food and medical care, contributing to their urgent plea for change and compassion in U.S. immigration practices.
Lee later noted the courage of families who chose to demonstrate amidst fears of retaliation due to the detention conditions. Reports indicate that many children at the facility are being held beyond the legal limits, highlighting ongoing issues within the immigration detention system.
