Yesterday, dozens of activists took to the streets of downtown Miami, rallying against the practices of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As reported by WSVN, demonstrators assembled at the Torch of Friendship, voicing their discontent with chants like "Say it loud, say it clear, ICE is not welcome here!" These actions in Miami are a part of wider protests planned throughout Florida over the weekend, signifying growing unrest with ICE's presence in the state.
The Miami protest formed a piece of a larger national response that has begun to publicly, and not without fervor, question ICE's role and practices. "The people united will never be defeated," was one of the chants echoing down Biscayne Boulevard as a growing crowd voiced their opposition to the agency, which according to a statement obtained by CBS News Miami, has been involved in at least eight killings in the early days of 2026, including American citizens.
Activists held signs with messages such as "Abolish ICE," and "No more deportations," echoing the sentiments of demonstrators nationwide. Individuals participating in the Miami rally articulated the personal impact of ICE's actions. Valeria Ramirez told CBS News Miami, "Every person detained by ICE affects me. It affects our community. Just living in this country, living in this city, everybody should be affected," highlighting the community-wide implications of immigration enforcement.
For some, the protests were a direct response to experiences hitting close to home. Arianna Betancourt, whose father was detained by ICE and taken to a facility known as "Alligator Alcatraz," has gone to actively protest against inhumane treatment she describes as lacking in due process and communication. "The lack of due process, the lack of communication, and just the inhumane treatment overall. Everything I am experiencing is a reflection of the fear of what my dad is facing in that tent," Betancourt told CBS News Miami. Her participation in Miami followed efforts to rally support in Minneapolis, expressing how solidarity and community have provided a touchstone of hope amid her family's ordeal.
