Advocates in Durham protest against ICE presence: 'Constantly fearful of what's going on'

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Nearly 100 protestors took to the streets of Downtown Durham to bring attention to ICE raids happening nationwide.

The protest comes after an incident at the Durham Courthouse on Wednesday morning, where the group Siembra raised questions along with county officials claiming that multiple ICE agents were at the courthouse. The Durham Sheriff told ABC11 only one agent was there, in uniform, looking for a convicted felon.

It's a controversy the Durham Mayor is now responding to. Mayor Leo Williams released statement condemning the ICE presence inside the courthouse.

"Our residents witnessed ICE agents in our community, instilling widespread fear and uncertainty. While local leaders cannot legally override the federal government use and weaponization of ICE, we can and must stand in strategic solidarity with our neighbors," he said.

The group protesting also highlighted the death of Jaime Alanís Garcia in California. Garcia allegedly died during an immigration raid at a cannabis farm, something immigrant families in the Triangle say is concerning.

"If my parents call me, I'm scared my heart drops and I have to step away because my family is at risk of being taken away from me any single day. So I also, while doing the work that I love, I'm constantly fearful of what's going on and how that might affect my family, my loved ones, and all the communities I have here in Durham," said Dr. Andrea Cazales.

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The Durham Sheriff's Office stressed that the presence of ICE on Wednesday was not a raid, and the agents left after it was clear the person they were looking for was not present. However, advocates are raising questions about due process.

"Everyone in this country. It's our constitutional right that we are innocent until proven guilty and that we should be fighting to protect that judicial system. Even if we have a case like we have today, like this individual didn't even have their first court appearance. That is what they were showing up for. And they didn't even have a chance to participate in any part of our judicial process. That's a threat to all of us, to Americans, to citizens, to non-citizens, to everyone alike. If our federal agencies are acting in a way that take away our liberties as well," said Nida Allam, Durham County Board of Commissioners.

On Tuesday, the Trump Administration highlighted how they said ICE arrests are surging nationwide, including in North Carolina.

ABC11 dove into the data from the Deportation Data Project and since January 2025, there have been more than 1,800 ICE arrests across the state.

Advocates are scared for families.

"We really needed families to feel safe to be able to engage in public spaces, in schools, in hospitals and clinics, in courthouses so that they can take care of themselves and their families," said Natalie Beyer, Durham Public School Board.

Eyewitness News put in a request for statement from federal offices, the Durham DA, to confirm the man's identity and prior arrests records.