El Paso Protests Mass Deportations

0:00It's March 25th. I'm Cory with the story, and this is El Paso News today, your AI-powered local news. Nearly 1,000 people marched through downtown El Paso on Tuesday, March 24th, chanting for faith without fear. They called for an end to the Trump administration's mass deportation policies during an interfaith vigil and protest. The Catholic diocese of El Paso led the event with groups like Hope Border Institute and local leaders. El Paso has turned into a major hub for immigration detention under these policies. Officials report around 7,000 ice beds there now, with plans to add 6,500 more in new warehouses. This includes the large campus Montana that opened last August. Protesters spoke out against violent tactics by agents, including the deaths of three U.S. citizens and 14 immigrants in custody this year, alone. Many shared stories of families torn apart and urged an end to the fear in communities. The march coincided with the feast day of St. Oscar Romero.

1:02The Salvador and Archbishop assassinated in 1979 for defending the poor. A bishop from El Salvador joined to call for respect of human dignity and immigration reform. Bishop Mark Sites has ramped up his criticism with a recent pastoral letter labeling mass deportations, a moral evil that harms families and the economy. These voices keep pushing for change amid the growing enforcement.