On Sunday, approximately 120 people from Nueces County and nearby areas gathered at Water’s Edge Park in Corpus Christi to protest against mass deportations of immigrants. Standing along Shoreline Drive, demonstrators carried Mexican and American flags. They held signs with messages such as “Immigrants are what make America great,” “Protect the Constitution,“ and “Deportation is not the answer.”
While the protest primarily focused on President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, attendees also voiced concerns on related issues, including racism, abortion, and the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Organizer Highlights Struggles of Immigrants
Sabrina Silva, a lifelong Corpus Christi resident and organizer of the event, emphasized that many undocumented immigrants work in low-income, labor-intensive jobs and often struggle to afford the legal fees required for citizenship documentation.
“Even if they have no criminal record, they still live in fear of deportation under the current administration,“ she explained. “As a natural citizen, I feel it’s my duty to help those who work hard and contribute to our communities.”
Silva acknowledged that while a single protest might not change national policies, it was important for people to stand up and voice their opposition to current immigration enforcement strategies.
Protesters Demand Immigration Reform
Among the attendees was Jamie Peraldo, a 12-year Corpus Christi resident, who attended with her daughter. She pointed out misconceptions about Mexican immigrants, stating that many entered the U.S. legally but struggled to renew visas due to systemic barriers.
“The administration needs to address the broken immigration system,“ Peraldo said, arguing that many immigrant families lack access to resources that would help them achieve legal status.
Community Shows Support
The demonstration drew positive responses from passersby. Jennifer Hay, a San Patricio County Democratic Party member, noted that community members honked their horns and cheered to support the protesters.
“We’ve been protesting for years, but these issues don’t always get the media attention they deserve,“ Hay said. “If you believe these policies are unjust, you have to make your voice heard.”
However, not everyone supported the demonstration. Some individuals jeered or heckled the protesters as they passed by.
Counterprotesters Back Trump’s Immigration Stance
On the opposite side of Shoreline Drive, a small group of counterprotesters gathered to support President Trump, Elon Musk, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They held signs defending strong border policies and stricter immigration enforcement.
“We are here to show support for our president and for ICE,“ said Joe Michael Perez, one of the counterprotesters who addressed the crowd through a microphone. “We are a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws.“
Another counterprotester, Dawn Skrobarczyk, praised Trump’s border security efforts.
“I support everything Trump is doing,“ she said. “He’s putting Americans first, securing the border, and preventing government funds from being misused.”
Skrobarczyk supported legal immigration, stating, “I’m all for people coming to our country the right way.”
A Divided Nation on Immigration Policy
The protest in Corpus Christi reflects the ongoing national debate over immigration policies, particularly mass deportations and border security. While some advocate for compassionate reform to help undocumented immigrants, others call for strict enforcement to uphold U.S. immigration laws.