Protests unfolded Sunday night at a busy Phoenix intersection, where protesters waving Mexican flags and holding signs voiced opposition to the Trump administration’s aggressive new immigration enforcement measures. The gathering, which included fireworks and chants, came just days after President Donald Trump began his second term, fulfilling campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration.
The rally, located near 75th Avenue between Thomas and McDowell roads, began earlier in the evening and grew in intensity as the night progressed. Protesters blocked traffic, drove recklessly, and set off fireworks before Phoenix police officers arrived in riot gear around 9 p.m. Many of those engaging in dangerous activities quickly dispersed once law enforcement intervened.
Phoenix Police Sgt. Brian Bower stated, “Officers have been aware of developments of a large group of people gathering since about 5 p.m. today. Added police resources had responded to the area to ensure the continued safety of the community as enforcement was taken on street racing and erratic driving seen in the area.”
The protest reflected growing frustration and fear among some communities in response to the administration’s immigration policies. One emotional protester, holding a sign that read “Don’t bite the hands that feed you,” explained, “I grew up here. My sister graduated here. My parents are hardworking people, and I don’t want them to be deported. Criminals, take them—but why are they targeting families like mine?”
Another sign read, “More reformation, less deportation,” and another protester emphasized the sacrifices made by immigrant families: “Our parents came here to give us a future—a future they couldn’t have. That’s why we’re here today.”
The protests coincided with a series of high-profile immigration enforcement actions. Less than a week into his second term, President Trump has made good on promises to prioritize border security and deportations. On Friday, the administration announced new rules making it easier to detain and remove illegal immigrants, including lifting restrictions on enforcement near schools and churches.
Trump’s policies have also included the deployment of U.S. soldiers and Marines to the southern border and expedited deportation flights to Central America. Over the weekend, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported more than 1,100 arrests in just two days, as part of an ongoing effort to remove illegal aliens.
The administration has framed these actions as a victory for national security and the rule of law. However, for families and communities impacted by the deportations, the reality is a wave of anxiety and uncertainty.
The Phoenix protests are part of a larger wave of demonstrations seen in cities like Chicago and Atlanta, as critics of the administration call for comprehensive immigration reform rather than mass deportations. As tensions rise, the debate over how to address illegal immigration continues to divide the nation.
