Phoenix protesters rally against separation of immigrant families
- Taylor McCormick
- Feb 5
- 5 min read
Taylor McCormick, Elliot Stringer Feb. 5, 2025
Around 500 people attended the "Stop the Separation" rally on Jan. 31, marching through downtown Phoenix and finishing at the Arizona State Capitol to protest against the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following recent arrests in Phoenix.
While law enforcement was present, the rally was peaceful despite opposition from a few bystanders, and no arrests were made. Police blocked off roads so protesters could march down them. Cars stopped on the street revved their engines with Mexican flags hanging out of their windows in support.
The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) helped 18-year-old event organizer Sandra Contreras Gonzalez set up the rally. The PSL stands in solidarity with minorities and the working class, bringing awareness to the pitfalls of capitalism and encouraging reorganization of society with socialism at the forefront.
President Donald Trump stuck to his campaign promise on immigration, introducing a slew of executive orders on his first day in office. From issuing a national emergency at the southern border to “protecting the American people against invasion,” he refers to undocumented immigrants as threats to national security and public safety.
Contreras Gonzalez addressed protesters before they began marching. She tied experiences from her past as the daughter of a single Mexican immigrant mother into her speech. She said it is because of her mother that she has the privilege of going to university, build a career and have a better life than her mom.
“Our families cross the borders in search of a better life,” Contreras Gonzalez said. “They are not statistics, they are not criminals and they are not dangerous aliens. They are our neighbors, our friends, our co-workers, our loved ones. They are our future doctors, teachers, lawyers and leaders. They are people.”
Contreras Gonzalez said immigrants are valuable human beings who are working hard for a better future for themselves. She believes despite their hard work, the Trump administration and some members of Congress want to pull immigrant families apart by making them seem dangerous.
Arizona State Senators Warren Petersen and Thomas “TJ” Shope introduced the Arizona ICE Act on Jan. 20, requiring state law enforcement to work in coordination with federal immigration enforcement. This act would reinforce the passing of Proposition 314, the Immigration and Border Law Enforcement Measure, to allow state and local police to make arrests of noncitizens entering the U.S. illegally.
The measure permits state judges to issue deportations but is expected to face legal battles similar to Arizona v. United States (2012) since states cannot enforce immigration laws to this extent. Only an immigration court of the U.S. Department of Justice can rule on the deportation of undocumented immigrants.
“Despite their biggest contributions, immigrants continue to be marginalized and denied the basic rights that should be guaranteed to all human beings; freedom, fairness and justice,” Contreras Gonzalez said. “Today we say, enough is enough.”
Her speech ended with a call to action to the crowd: as immigrants, their voices are stronger
as one and they should stand together. She said although members of the government fear immigrants because they do not understand them, she will not be silent until justice is served.
Protest participant Emmanuel Castillo, an American citizen whose mother and grandmother were born in the U.S., said people’s mindsets need to change. With current policies and executive orders, Castillo said the courts will not have enough time to address them all, causing hate and racial divides.
“By the time [Trump’s] term is over, there is going to be a lot of damage done, and a lot of hate is going to come from it, especially between races,” Castillo said. “That’s the thing I’m most afraid of right now, is because there’s going to be a lot of hatred within race.”
As a kid, Castillo constantly carried identification in case law enforcement stopped him. His children were with him at the protest, and he pointed out the events happening now will affect them for years to come.
That morning, ASU’s chapter of College Republicans United (CRU) gave out detailed information on how to file a report, encouraging students to inform ICE about possible undocumented immigrant peers. About 700 people protested this action to support Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals at CRU’s tabling on ASU’s Tempe campus. ASU immigrant advocacy group Aliento organized the march, hoping to disrupt and oppose CRU’s message.
NAU’s chapter of College Dems reposted the official Arizona College Democrats’ response to CRU’s actions, condemning them as “un-American.”
“This behavior not only perpetuates harmful and unfounded fear,” the statement read. “But also represents a blatant act of racism and xenophobia.”
NAU alumna Yaneli Veronica Navarro attended the “Stop the Separation” evening rally with friends, wrapped in a Mexican flag. She said she found out about the march through TikTok, highlighting it as a powerful tool used to unite people.
“I'm doing this for my family,” Navarro said. “I'm doing it for the people that can't use their voice, that are too scared to be out here. We are tired of seeing the injustice of our people, the government and everything that comes with it. So, if I can play my part for my people out here, screaming, yelling, walking miles to make sure that our voices are heard, I'd do it 100 times over again.”
Across the country, immigrants are avoiding school and work due to fear of deportation following the Department of Homeland Security’s directive allowing ICE to enter sensitive areas, such as churches and schools. Several Arizona school districts are refusing to comply, reassuring families they are “safe zones” and reminding them of their rights. Flagstaff Unified School District has yet to come out with a statement addressing the order.
“We are here not to be criminals,” Navarro said. “We are here to be hard workers. We are here to contribute, pay our taxes and make this beautiful land great and what it is–America.”
Flagstaff residents supported the cause by holding their own peaceful demonstration at Flagstaff City Hall on Feb. 3. Somos NAU is following suit by planning a protest on Feb. 12 starting at 3 p.m. at the University Union and ending at city hall. NAU No More Deaths will also hold a protest titled “We Are Stronger Together” on Feb. 7 starting at the Cal-Ranch parking lot at 4:30 p.m. They will walk from Route 66 to City Hall.
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