Immigration activists across Texas are gearing up for a wave of coordinated protests at Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities on Saturday, April 25, as part of a nationwide push to stop the federal government from turning sprawling industrial warehouses into new detention centers.
National Day Of Action
The demonstrations are tied to a "Communities Not Cages" national day of action organized by groups including Disappeared In America, Detention Watch Network, and Indivisible. The coalition is urging peaceful, nonviolent protests and has rolled out training materials and organizing tools for local hosts, according to Indivisible.
Where Texans Are Protesting
Organizers say more than 160 local events are on the calendar nationwide, with Texas actions stretching from the border to the coast. In El Paso, Indivisible the 915 plans a march outside Camp East Montana, with participants gathering at the Brio park-and-ride at George Dieter Drive and Montana Avenue. Protests are also slated for San Antonio, Bandera, Southlake, Dallas, and Corpus Christi, according to the El Paso Times.
Why They're Hitting The Streets
At the heart of the outcry is a federal strategy to buy and retrofit large warehouse complexes as detention hubs, a move critics say will turbocharge capacity while making it harder for the public, the press, and lawyers to monitor what happens inside. Reporting from NPR cites tens of billions of dollars in detention funding and a recent spike in people held in ICE custody, trends organizers say demand a very visible response.
Camp East Montana And A Homicide Ruling
In El Paso, much of the anger is focused on Camp East Montana, the Fort Bliss facility that has drawn intense scrutiny since the death of detainee Geraldo Lunas Campos in January. An autopsy ruled his death a homicide, citing asphyxia caused by compression of the neck and torso. That finding has further fueled demands for stronger federal oversight and accountability at the site, according to The Associated Press.
What Organizers And Officials Are Saying
Organizers say Saturday's protests are designed to keep the heat on elected officials and pull back the curtain on life inside detention facilities. Local officeholders, including Rep. Veronica Escobar and other area Democrats, have called for reviews of Camp East Montana operations and pressed for the facility's closure, as reported by the El Paso Times.
How To Take Part Safely
Organizers are stressing that events should stay peaceful and within the law, with basic safety tips that include remaining on sidewalks, bringing water, and following directions from volunteer marshals. National partners have posted training calls and step-by-step planning guides for hosts and attendees. Those interested can find updates and organizing materials on coalition event pages and resource hubs such as The Workers Circle.
