Houston Protesters Rally Against ICE Detention Practices
Written by Erin Slaughter on February 2, 2026
By: Erin Slaughter
HOUSTON — Chants echoed outside the CoreCivic Houston ICE Processing Center on the evening of Jan. 30 as protesters confronted what they described as a broken immigration detention system.
Government data show that in late 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement held about 60,000 to 65,000 people in detention nationwide. Most of those in custody had no criminal convictions, meaning they were held for immigration-related reasons. Texas held more detained immigrants than any other state during that period.
“I feel like it’s just important to stand up for what you believe in and fight for something that’s right,” said Riven Williams.
Riven Williams, Houston protester
“The stuff that these people are doing is unacceptable, to say the least, and I’m here to show my support.”
Many at the protest said they were motivated by family history and a belief that change begins with action and refusing to remain silent.
“As a child of immigrants, it’s important for me to stand up for my community and be present at events like this where the community is organizing against the effects of government policies,” said Eddie Corduroy.
Eddie Corduroy, Houston protester
“ICE is a very evil organization and really does nothing to help anyone in the community move forward. They are targeting documented citizens.”
The protest followed recent fatal encounters involving federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. On Jan. 7, ICE agents fatally shot Renée Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, during an enforcement operation, authorities said.
Weeks later, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis intensive care nurse, was killed during a separate confrontation involving federal agents, including Border Patrol officers.
The incidents have intensified scrutiny of the use of force by immigration authorities.
Jennifer Rodríguez said those incidents made it impossible for her to remain on the sidelines.
“My nieces, nephews and potential children I might have in the future will one day ask me what I was doing,” Rodríguez said.
Jennifer Rodríguez, Houston Protester
“I don’t want to say I was at home scrolling while all of this was happening. It’s impossible for me to stay home.”
Another protester, who identified herself only as JJ, said demonstrations serve a broader purpose beyond the immediate crowd.
“Why do people protest? It’s because we’re being heard,” she said.
“It’s so other people know they are being fought for. It’s so other people know that what they think they can’t do, they can do it too.”
JJ, Houston protester
Advocacy groups say ICE’s detention numbers continued to climb as the agency expanded enforcement and detention capacity nationwide. Federal data show the number of people held in ICE custody reached near record highs by early 2026, the highest level in the agency’s history, and a growing share of those detained had no criminal convictions.
The protest highlighted the ongoing fight against what participants described as a broken immigration system. Demonstrators said they plan to continue advocating for accountability and reform.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
