SAN ANTONIO — Protesters took to the streets of San Antonio’s East Side on Saturday morning, marching against plans to convert a massive warehouse into a federal immigration detention facility that could house approximately 1,500 people.
The March for Freedom and Justice, organized by the San Antonio Freedom Coalition, began around 8 a.m. near East Houston Street and South W.W. White Road. Demonstrators made their way toward the planned facility along Southeast Loop 410, carrying signs and voicing their opposition to the project.
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert and Father Jimmy Drennan were among those who appeared at the demonstration.
For protesters, the march was an opportunity to raise concerns about federal immigration enforcement and the proposed facility’s potential impact on the community.
“I think we need to keep raising our voices and let ICE know, let our federal government know that we are outraged about the inhumanity that’s occurring by the hands of ICE,” said Diane, one of the protesters.
The federal government plans to convert the warehouse into an immigration processing and detention facility as part of a nationwide effort to expand detention capacity. The facility would be used to hold people in federal immigration custody while they await immigration proceedings or removal from the United States.
Protester Joe Diana said he was encouraged to see community members come together but questioned the use of taxpayer dollars for the project.
“Very exciting to see so many people come out and make a statement to this detention center, which is again a travesty that we’re spending taxpayer dollars to do something like this,” Diana said.
Opposition to the planned facility has also reached San Antonio City Hall.
On Friday, council members Sukh Kaur, Phyllis Viagran, Teri Castillo, Marina Alderete Gavito and Ivalis Meza-Gonzalez released a joint statement requesting a special City Council session to discuss the facility’s potential impact on San Antonio’s public utilities.
“In duty to our community, we asked Mayor Jones for a City Council special session as soon as possible to discuss the policy request for an assessment detailing potential impacts of the Eastside ICE Detention Facility on our utilities,” the council members said in their statement in part.
The council members raised concerns about the project’s potential effects on San Antonio Water System and CPS Energy infrastructure. They also expressed support for the city to explore legal options to challenge the project.
The council members said they believe the city must act to protect residents and ensure that the potential impacts of the proposed facility are properly evaluated.
As the debate over the facility continues, protesters say they hope Saturday’s demonstration encourages more people to get involved.
Protester Bill McGuire emphasized the importance of civic participation and urged younger generations to make their voices heard.
“Well, remind them that it starts with individuals making their voice heard,” McGuire said.
ICE has previously said the San Antonio facility is part of its nationwide detention expansion efforts and that the facility will meet the agency’s regular detention standards.
We also reached out to the Republican Party of Bexar County for comment and have not yet heard back.