News & Press

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Oklahoma Democratic Party is grateful for the work of everyday Oklahomans organizing to defeat the proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Oklahoma City.

This decision has proven the effectiveness of thousands of Oklahomans peacefully protesting this administration and its tactics, and our voices were heard in local government and the business community. We commend the everyday Oklahomans who have been speaking out about ICE and the Department of Homeland Security’s actions across the country, in Minneapolis, and here at home.

“Oklahomans spoke clearly in their opposition to an ICE Detention Center in our midst. While we celebrate the end of this threat, we continue to demand that law enforcement operates under the law. We will remain vigilant in protecting our neighbors and upholding our rights to free speech and due process,” said Erin Brewer, chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

The situation in Minneapolis has made clear that ICE officers aren’t making our communities safer; they’re creating danger and bringing violence by using unconstitutional tactics to achieve this administration’s goals.

Alberto Alonso-Sandoval, Oklahoma Democratic Party Treasurer, said, “It was great to see the strong opposition from the Oklahoma community that stopped the ICE Facility, but it does not stop there. We live in a Republican-controlled state, and the ICE activity that we’re seeing will probably get worse before it gets better. We have to keep staying engaged and keep showing up. There’s lot of people out there that live every day in fear and don’t feel like they have a voice- we have to be that voice.”

Even though the facility at 2800 S. Council Rd. has been stopped in its tracks, the wider implications of ICE activity in Oklahoma remain. From our Native American communities being targeted with traffic stops due to the color of their skin to the wholehearted support of our Governor and Highway Patrol for ICE operations, we have a lot of work to do in Oklahoma.

We’re fighting this administration’s tactics, and we are fighting for accountability in our government.

###