Thousands Rally at Arizona Capitol Against Trump’s Immigration Policies

On Monday, critics of the White House’s immigration policies gathered at the Arizona Capitol for a national day of protest against President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda. This rally was part of a larger movement spanning multiple cities, marking a significant response to ongoing immigration reforms.

Hundreds of Phoenix residents filled the state Legislature’s courtyard, brandishing Mexican flags and signs that echoed their message: “We speak for those who can’t” and “Immigrants make America great.” Protesters chanted in both English and Spanish, voicing their frustrations with slogans such as “No ICE!” and “No more Trump!” The Arizona Department of Public Safety estimated around 500 attendees participated in this demonstration.

The rally followed a series of protests in the Valley, including one that caused street closures in midtown Phoenix and another in Glendale that escalated to police using tear gas. Such events illustrate the rising discontent with the administration’s approach to immigration.

Nationwide, protests burgeoned in reaction to Trump’s aggressive immigration actions. His initial week in office alone saw over 3,500 ICE arrests and executive measures aimed at reducing birthright citizenship, ramping up deportations, and obstructing asylum access. Monday’s protest coincided with the “Day without immigrants,” when supporters pledged to skip work and school to demonstrate the contributions of immigrant communities.

Attendees included teenagers like Keyla Parra and Isabel Miñon, both from mixed-status families. Parra expressed constant fear for her father’s safety during his daily work routine. “He goes to work every day in the morning, and I’ve been really scared,” she shared.

Miñon, advocating for those affected by immigration policies, noted, “I’m here to speak for those who can’t.” Her sentiments echoed a broader call to represent the more than 11 million undocumented individuals targeted by the administration.

With firsthand experiences of deportation, Haylee Rickard and her cousins, Javier and Jayden, voiced their personal connections to the issue. Their mother was expelled four years ago, and they lamented the challenges of seeing her only during brief visits. “It’s heart-wrenching and it tears families apart,” Rickard stated.

Javier, carrying a sign that read “Focus on school shootings NOT ICE raidings,” conveyed his motivation to join the protest by highlighting the importance of advocacy for marginalized voices. “It’s good to come out here to show that anyone, even the little ones, can put their opinions and minds out there in the world,” he said.

Susana Rubio, a naturalized citizen from Mexico, articulated fears surrounding the potential for the administration’s policies to target individuals with legal status. She emphasized, “Many of us are not criminals. We’re here to work legally.” Reports have indicated instances where ICE has apprehended individuals who are either citizens or have legal protections, raising alarm among civil rights organizations.

Eliseo Miguel, a nursing student, expressed concern over the intersection of healthcare and immigration policy. His sign referenced the need for patient privacy that should shield individuals from ICE, particularly in vulnerable settings like hospitals. “The possibility of losing your parents is scary,” Miguel remarked, highlighting personal stakes in the national debate.

Amidst escalating tensions, the protest at the Arizona Capitol vividly captured the ongoing struggle surrounding immigration rights and the profound impacts of federal policies on families and communities.

***UPDATE: This story has been updated with an estimate of protest size from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.