Protest Planned in Allen as North Texas Officials Clash Over ICE Enforcement, Rhetoric

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews.com

ALLEN — A peaceful protest criticizing federal immigration enforcement practices is scheduled for Sunday in Allen, as North Texas political figures offer sharply different responses to recent ICE-related deaths in Minnesota and the broader national debate over immigration, public safety, and due process.

The demonstration, titled “ICE Out of Texas,” is set for Sunday, Feb. 1, from noon to 2 p.m. on the public sidewalks in front of Watters Creek at 985 W. Bethany Drive. It is being organized by the Collin County Democratic Party in partnership with the Allen Progressive Eagles, a local student group.

Organizers say the protest is intended to express solidarity with communities affected by immigration enforcement actions and to call for accountability and humane policies. According to the event announcement, the protest was organized in response to recent fatal encounters involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota, including the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Jeffery Pretti.

Hana Fayed, identified by organizers as a leader of the Allen Progressive Eagles, said students felt compelled to respond to national events.

“We are deeply upset by what we have been seeing nationally and feel compelled to take action,” Fayed said in a written statement. “More than anything, we want our voices to reach farther and to show that the community is united.”

Jeremy Sutka, chair of the Collin County Democratic Party, said the party is supporting the student-led effort and emphasized that the event will be peaceful and lawful. Organizers have announced a strict no-weapons policy and say participants are encouraged to bring water, handmade signs, and wear bright clothing. The protest will take place on public sidewalks and does not involve street closures.

Political Responses

The planned protest has unfolded amid escalating rhetoric and public statements from elected officials and candidates across North Texas.

Evan Hunt, a Democratic candidate for Congress in Texas’ 3rd Congressional District, released a lengthy statement condemning what he described as the use of dehumanizing language around immigration and warning that such rhetoric is influencing enforcement tactics.

Hunt said he supports strong borders, public safety, and the deportation of undocumented immigrants convicted of violent crimes. However, he criticized what he characterized as heavily armed, masked federal agents conducting raids in civilian communities, arguing that such practices undermine due process and public trust.

He also rejected claims that undocumented immigrants are responsible for a disproportionate share of violent crime, stating that federal crime databases do not track immigration status and citing peer-reviewed research — including analyses based on Texas Department of Public Safety arrest records — indicating lower felony arrest rates among undocumented immigrants compared with native-born citizens.

“Crime is committed by criminals, not by immigrant populations,” Hunt wrote, warning against what he described as collective blame and the politicization of victims’ deaths.

In a shorter statement, Mihaela Plesa emphasized the need for transparency following recent ICE-related fatalities.

“A U.S. citizen is dead. A family is grieving. Americans are scared,” Plesa said. “We deserve the truth, transparency, and accountability.”

Neither Hunt nor Plesa called for an end to immigration enforcement, but both stressed due process, constitutional protections, and independent oversight as essential components of public safety.

Self Pushes Back

Keith Self, a Republican who represents parts of Collin County in Congress, took a markedly different approach in posts on X.

In one post, Self alleged that nationwide protests against ICE were being fueled by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which he described as a terrorist organization, and framed the demonstrations as part of a broader threat to national sovereignty. He cited a Daily Signal article to support the claim, though neither the post nor the article provided documentation identifying organizers, funding, or coordination.

In a separate Jan. 28 post, Self reiterated his long-standing opposition to immigration amnesty.

“Once again, the push for mass amnesty has reared its ugly head,” Self wrote. “Let me be clear—my position is unchanged: Amnesty is not an option.”

Self’s statements emphasize strict enforcement of federal immigration law and opposition to policies he views as weakening border security. His framing contrasts with those of Hunt and Plesa, who focused their remarks on enforcement tactics, rhetoric, and oversight rather than immigration levels or legalization policies.

Ongoing Debate

The Allen protest reflects a broader national debate over immigration enforcement, the use of force by federal authorities, and the role political rhetoric plays in shaping public perception and policy. While organizers describe Sunday’s event as a call for accountability and humane treatment, critics argue that protests undermine law enforcement and border security.

As demonstrations and counter-statements continue, local officials and candidates remain divided not only over immigration policy itself, but over how public safety, constitutional rights, and political responsibility should be balanced in moments of national crisis.

Editor’s Note: This article reports statements and positions from organizers and elected officials. Claims and characterizations are attributed to those speakers and have not been independently verified unless otherwise noted. For continued coverage of local events and civic issues, follow TX3DNews