Over the past several weeks, tensions between locals and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in San Antonio have risen, prompting recent protests downtown and student walkouts across schools. Protesters stood united against ICE’s actions, which include the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis and the detainment of 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father. City residents worry about what could happen next due to ICE’s presence.
Dating as far back as May of 2025, ICE has detained many immigrants outside the San Antonio Immigration Court after their court hearings. In late May, at least three children, along with two adults, were detained and restrained with zip ties in court.
During a drug-bust raid at an after-hours club in November of 2025, ICE detained more than 140 immigrants who were lacking permanent legal status at 5939 San Pedro Ave. In January, ICE agents were seen waiting outside a San Antonio Independent School District campus. A week before that incident, on Jan. 27, a south-side neighborhood witnessed federal agents approach a home near the 3000 block of Commercial Avenue and West Ansley Boulevard.
A San Antonio federal municipal courthouse that processes immigration cases is currently surrounded by ICE detention and processing facilities. The Department of Homeland Security Task Force was also formed, a collaboration between the Federal Bureau of Investigation San Antonio and the Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio field office. Bexar County law enforcement agencies now have formal authority to assist in federal immigration enforcement. This caught the attention of a UT San Antonio global affairs major, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons.
“I’ve been disappointed to see that our local city leaders have not taken a proper stance against ICE,” the student said.
Referring to the city council meeting that took place Jan. 22, where residents spoke out against ICE, the student continued, “To see such a weak response and non-existent actions from local officials is extremely troubling. Most recently, they have held a city hall to listen to the public; however, listening is not the approach when your constituents are being treated without any respect for their existence.”
No solution was created to address these concerns.
According to UT San Antonio’s Institutional Research and Analysis webpage, 60% of the student body is Hispanic, and many are first-generation.
“While I am appalled at ICE actions, I cannot say I am surprised,” the student commented. “My parents are permanent residents, and it does worry them to see the policies that the current administration is setting about deportations.”
The interviewee claims they have not seen an emotional shift in students on campus.
“I have not seen an impact on students in terms of safety or fear,” the student said. “Some are like me, completely against ICE and their actions, some are indifferent and some are supportive.”
However, local protests have caught the student’s eye.
“Student walkouts and protests are great,” the student reflected. “They show that the community is aware, and their effectiveness is subjective, but I do believe it puts pressure on the federal agency.”
One protest occurred this past weekend, on Jan. 30, where students from more than 20 high schools walked out of class to join a protest in Travis Park.
As ICE enforcement continues impacting residents across the city, the student described how “close connections get very scared to leave their house and will only go out for work and necessities,” calling it “disheartening to see people live in fear even when they are ‘doing the right thing.’”
The student emphasized that immigration is not just a political issue but instead a community-wide concern for cities such as San Antonio, adding that the actions of ICE are “a blatant disregard, mistreatment, insensible and inhumane” way of approaching immigrant families and U.S. citizens.
While protests will continue, the student’s concern is for the lack of effort from local leaders, but they hope that speaking up will spur accountability, humanity and tranquility.
