Students from St. Edward’s University marched in unity with their voices loud, joining hundreds of demonstrators in downtown Austin on Jan. 30 to protest the actions and policies of U.S Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
The protest followed a broader “blackout” call to action and multiple student walkouts across Austin ISD schools and surrounding districts. These actions were meant to draw attention to immigration enforcement practices that are harming immigrant communities in Texas and nationwide.
Among those in attendance were junior social work majors Lily Grant and Elon Parker, who said they felt compelled to show up in solidarity.
“I’ve been told before that protesting isn’t very important, and you’re not going to change minds with it,” Grant said. “However, I think this is untrue, if enough people are outraged and protesting, it will gain attention.”
Protests around the nation started gaining momentum after the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, bystanders to ICE arrests in Minnesota. Due to social media, people are witnessing and recording these arrests, more often than not filming aggressive enforcement tactics.
“Personally, I find it very disturbing that masked, violent individuals are roaming our streets, ripping people from their lives, holding them in prisons, and deporting them to countries they may have never been to,” Grant said. “I want to see ICE abolished, and I want to see the Texas government standing up for its people.”
Protestors gathered in front of the Texas Capitol to listen to speakers recounting personal immigration stories, available resources, and ways to help uplift the immigrant population in Texas.
Others at the protest framed their concerns about policy reform rather than abolition. Parker said he attended because he believes that immigration policies are causing harm to immigrant communities and need revision.
“In Austin, the ICE policies can make immigrant communities feel scared when it should make people feel safer,” Parker said. “I would like to see clearer and more fair immigration policy. Have real legal paths for people who have been here working and living for years.”
The role of public safety was a recurring theme in conversations at the protest. ICE maintains that its mission is to “protect national security and public safety through the enforcement of immigration laws.” However, some believe that ICE and its agents do not stand for this mission.
“Who are they protecting? I sure don’t feel safe,” Grant said. “I don’t know how anyone would feel safe having masked violent enforcement around. “I hope people understand that no person is illegal on stolen land.”
The Jan. 30 protest was intended not only as a demonstration against ICE, but as part of a larger movement demanding policy reform and greater protection for undocumented immigrants. As debates over immigration enforcement continue at the state and national levels, St. Edward’s students plan to remain engaged, both in the streets and in the classroom.