In the Fight for Immigrant Rights: UT Fraternity Protests Mass Deportations
A Mexican flag rises in front of Littlefield Fountain on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2025 at the University of Texas at Austin.
Photo by Emily Moreno
Joban Hernandez addresses the crowd on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2025, at Littlefield Fountain.
Photo by Emily Moreno
Among the fervent chants of “Viva la raza,” campus students and community members alike raised their voices in unison as they marched towards the Texas Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 8 to protest the Trump Administration’s attacks on the immigrant community and their rights.
The protest, organized by Sigma Lambda Beta’s Joban Hernandez, began at Littlefield Fountain at 10:00 a.m. as they made their way to the capitol to take a stand.
Hernandez said he wanted to use the fraternity’s platform to give people a voice.
“Coming from immigrant parents, I know the struggles growing up and I didn’t have a home sometimes,” Hernandez said. “My parents tried their best and thankfully we’re doing better, but I know the struggles that others are facing and I just want to help.”
Volunteers distribute water and snacks at the protest on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2025, at Littlefield Fountain.
Photo by Emily Moreno
Before the protest began, the organization distributed “Know Your Rights” cards to participants. Protesters carried handmade signs with messages like “Immigrants are the backbone of this country” and “Families belong together,” while waving Mexican-American flags and calling for an end to discrimination and the criminalization of migration status. They additionally handed out snacks and water to make sure everyone was hydrated and prepared for the march.
Dalila Ramirez, a second-year government and international relations major, attended the protest. Coming from a family with undocumented members, Ramirez said she was there to stand up for them. She expressed that her family is the reason she’s able to come to the university to pursue her career.
“It should dawn on people very quickly that undocumented immigrants are the backbone of this entire country,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez emphasized the importance of advocacy, stating that people must stand up for undocumented immigrants so they know someone is always fighting for them.
A crowd of protestors march to the Texas Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2025.
Photo by Emily Moreno
A trio of freshmen, new to protesting, gathered at the event to take action and make a difference. Ashley Reyna, a government and sociology major, is among them and voiced that we're living in unclear times. Reyna shared that immigrants are being separated from their families and loved ones, which motivated her to attend the protest to stand up for their rights.
Dalila Ramirez shares her story at the Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2025.
Photo by Emily Moreno
“There is so much hate in this world currently and we are living in such unprecedented times,” Reyna said. “If I have the opportunity to make a difference or even stand up for people who can't stand up for themselves.”
Upon arriving at the Capitol, everyone was given the opportunity to share empowering stories about their personal experiences, with each story as powerful as the last.
The protest concluded at 1:15 p.m., after which the group marched back to Littlefield Fountain and dispersed. However, the fight continues, and the people are far from done.
“Despite everything that's going on, everything will work out,” Senior Hernandez said. “There may be no hope right now and people are scared, but we hope that we get to be a voice to everybody.”
