Demonstrators march to Warner Robins City Hall, protest Trump immigration policies
Demonstrators marched to City Hall in Warner Robins to protest President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration.
Holding signs with slogans in English and Spanish, the protesters said they gathered to push Warner Robins and the state and federal government to do more to protect undocumented immigrants from being deported by the Trump administration.
Trump campaigned on a promise to overhaul immigration and border security. In his first 100 days in office, Trump has implemented sweeping and controversial changes, including invoking an obscure 18th century act to deport suspected gang members. The move is currently making its way through the court system, with the Supreme Court blocking further action “until further order of this court.”
The administration has also been criticized for deporting a 29-year-old Maryland man in March to a mega-prison in El Salvador. The man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, initially entered the country illegally, but obtained a court order in 2019 barring his removal due to his life being in danger if he returned.
The Trump administration said the move was an “administrative error.” The Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that the Trump administration must “facilitate” his return.
Wednesday’s protest saw a dozen or so people turn out and make the trek down Watson Boulevard to City Hall despite the blistering afternoon heat.
Teon Lockett, who lives in Warner Robins and helped organize the demonstration, said the Trump administration’s policies dehumanize undocumented immigrants and deprive them of due process, which is guaranteed in the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment.
“They’re seen as numbers, problems to be removed,” Lockett said.
Lockett said undocumented immigrants are not a significant source of crime in the U.S., despite claims Trump has made saying otherwise.
According to a study by the National Institute of Justice — which is under the U.S. Department of Justice — undocumented immigrants were found to be arrested at half the rate of native-born U.S. citizens for violent and drug-related crimes. Undocumented immigrants were arrested at a quarter of the rate of native-born U.S. citizens for property crimes.
Taiyah Lockett, another organizer, said that Trump’s disregard for due process is also an issue for people who aren’t undocumented immigrants. She pointed to the story of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student who led pro-Palestine protests last spring.
Khalil is from Syria and a green-card holder who was in the U.S. legally. He was arrested by Immigration Customs and Enforcement and was threatened with deportation, raising questions about due process and free speech.
“Due process is under attack, human rights are under attack,” Taiyah Lockett said.
In addition to criticizing Trump’s immigration policies, demonstrators criticized U.S. Rep. Austin Scott for not meeting with constituents in town halls and other public forums. Scott — who represents Georgia’s 8th Congressional District, which covers much of Warner Robins — last attended a public forum in 2015.
“[Scott] won’t come to a town hall and face the people,” Taiyah Lockett said.
As demonstrators made their way to Warner Robins City Hall, they could be heard chanting, “Austin Scott, let’s be clear, immigrants are welcome here.”
Cars passing by honked to show their support, and demonstrators cheered in response.
Rep. Scott’s office previously told The Telegraph he has visited with leadership at Warner Robins Air Force Base during Trump’s second term. Rep. Scott nor his office responded to requests for comment for this story.