Huntsville, September 13, 2025
News Summary
A demonstration at Huntsville City Hall brought together residents advocating for immigrant rights and protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. Participants urged city officials to pass a resolution preventing local police from engaging in civil immigration enforcement, highlighting personal stories and concerns about due process violations faced by immigrants. While no formal action was taken by the City Council, discussions reflected the community’s ongoing tensions regarding federal immigration policies.
Huntsville residents gathered on the steps of City Hall to advocate for immigrant rights and protest against the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The demonstrators urged the Huntsville City Council to pass a resolution that would prevent local police from engaging in civil immigration enforcement agreements with ICE.
The protest, attended by members of the community, included speeches and personal testimonies that highlighted the challenges faced by immigrants. One participant, retired teacher Donna Payne, raised concerns about ICE’s treatment of individuals denied due process. Her comments resonated with many as they conveyed the message that due process rights should apply to everyone, not just a select few.
Another protester, Chelsea Brunty-Barojas, read a poignant letter about her husband, Antonio Barajas Solano, who was taken into ICE custody on August 6 along with three other Hispanic men. In her letter, she explained that Solano is married to a U.S. citizen and has six U.S. citizen children. The letter described how he faced inhumane conditions in custody, was denied access to his lawyer, and lacked proper medical care.
Participants stressed that many immigrants are hardworking individuals who contribute positively to the community. Protester Meg Hereford criticized current immigration enforcement practices, asserting they do not focus on serious criminals as initially promised. They expressed that hardworking immigrants should not be treated as criminals but rather recognized as valuable community members.
Concerns were also raised by Larisa Thomason, who argued that the unmarked cars used by ICE to detain individuals without identifying themselves resembled “secret police.” This worried many about violations to due process rights which are supposed to protect everyone. Laura Lemley echoed the sentiment that if due process is not available to some, it is a concern for everyone, stressing the need to support immigrants as they are beneficial to local communities.
Although some claims circulated regarding a teacher from Williams Middle School being detained by ICE, Huntsville City Schools was unable to verify this information, leaving uncertainty regarding the circumstances.
During the council meeting that followed, no formal action was taken on the proposed resolution. However, City Administrator John Hamilton confirmed that the Huntsville Police Department currently does not have an agreement with ICE that would permit civil immigration detentions. He highlighted that, should any future agreements arise, they would require the City Council’s approval. Hamilton acknowledged that the police department lacks the resources to take on such responsibilities and clarified that while the city is aware of federal immigration enforcement, it does not possess the authority to intervene directly in federal operations. He noted that if individuals arrested by Huntsville police are found to have undocumented status, Madison County Jail would alert ICE.
This gathering and the following discussions reflect a significant tension in the community regarding immigration practices and enforcement and underline ongoing conversations about the rights of immigrants in the United States, particularly amid rising concerns about federal policies affecting local communities.
FAQ
What was the primary purpose of the protest at City Hall?
The primary purpose of the protest was to advocate for immigrant rights and oppose ICE activities, urging the City Council to pass a resolution that would restrict the city’s engagement in civil immigration enforcement.
What specific actions did the protesters request from the City Council?
Protesters requested the City Council to pass a resolution that prevents local police from entering into any agreements that allow civil immigration enforcement by ICE.
What concerns were raised about ICE’s treatment of detainees?
Concerns included the denial of access to legal representation, lack of medical care, and inhumane conditions in custody, highlighting issues surrounding the due process rights of detained individuals.
Did the City Council take any action following the protest?
The City Council did not take formal action on the proposed resolution, but confirmed that the Huntsville Police Department currently lacks an agreement with ICE for civil immigration enforcement.
Key Features of the Protest
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | City Hall, Huntsville |
| Main Goal | Advocacy for immigrant rights and opposition to ICE activities |
| Resolution Request | Prohibition of local police engagement in civil immigration enforcement |
| Notable Personal Stories | Testimonies about family members detained by ICE |
| City Council Response | No action on the resolution; confirmation of no existing agreement with ICE |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Tensions Escalate in Chicago Amid Immigration Enforcement Plans
US Department of Justice Sues Boston Over Sanctuary City Policies
Federal Judge Orders Closure of Controversial Immigration Facility
Federal Judge Orders Closure of Immigration Jail Near Everglades
Penske Truck Used in Immigration Raid at Home Depot Sparks Outrage
Major Legal Victory Against Indiscriminate Immigration Sweeps
Florida’s New Immigration Detention Center: What You Need to Know
Tragedy During Immigration Raids at Cannabis Farms
Trump Opens ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Immigration Facility Amid Controversy
Huntsville Protests Marjorie Taylor Greene Fundraising Event
Additional Resources
- AL.com: Huntsville Residents Protest ICE Detentions
- RocketCityNow: Concerns Over Immigration Customs Enforcement
- AL.com: New Construction in Huntsville Area
- AL.com: AI Garbage Truck Cameras Pulled
- Wikipedia: Immigration Enforcement in the United States
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration Policy
- Google Search: Huntsville ICE Protest
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
