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Detroit 'Families First' rallies protest Trump immigration crackdowns, cuts to health care

Families First Protests Erupt in Detroit Over Trump-Era ICE Policies and Medicaid Cuts

DETROIT — Thousands of demonstrators gathered in the heart of Detroit on Sunday, July 27, 2025, as part of a nationwide wave of protests organized by the advocacy group Families First. The rally, which drew participants from across Michigan and neighboring states, focused on what organizers described as the devastating intersection of aggressive immigration enforcement under former President Donald Trump's lingering influence and recent federal cuts to Medicaid programs. Chants of "Families united, not divided!" echoed through Hart Plaza as protesters waved signs decrying ICE raids that have separated families and Medicaid reductions that have left vulnerable populations without essential healthcare.

The event marked the latest escalation in a series of demonstrations that have swept major U.S. cities since the beginning of the year, fueled by a resurgence of Trump-aligned policies in Congress and at the state level. Families First, a nonprofit coalition formed in 2018 to advocate for immigrant rights and social welfare, chose Detroit as a symbolic location for this protest due to the city's large immigrant communities and its history as a hub for labor and civil rights movements. "Detroit has always been a beacon for those fighting injustice," said Maria Gonzalez, the group's Michigan chapter leader, in an impassioned speech to the crowd. "But today, we're here because policies from Washington are tearing our families apart—literally and figuratively."

At the core of the protests are renewed concerns over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, which protesters link directly to Trump's "America First" agenda. Even though Trump left office in 2021, his influence persists through Republican lawmakers who have pushed for stricter immigration laws, including expanded deportation powers and family separation protocols at the border. In Michigan alone, ICE has conducted over 500 raids in the past six months, according to data from the Department of Homeland Security, targeting undocumented immigrants and mixed-status families. Protesters shared harrowing personal stories, such as that of Elena Ramirez, a Detroit resident whose husband was detained during a routine traffic stop last month. "He was just going to work," Ramirez told reporters, tears streaming down her face. "Now our kids don't have a father, and we're struggling to afford his legal fees on top of everything else."

Compounding these immigration woes are sweeping changes to Medicaid, the federal-state program that provides health insurance to low-income Americans. Recent congressional budget resolutions, backed by Trump loyalists in the House, have slashed funding by nearly 15%, affecting millions nationwide. In Michigan, where Medicaid covers about 2.5 million people—including many children and elderly residents—the cuts have led to longer wait times for services, reduced coverage for mental health treatments, and outright denials of care for some enrollees. Families First argues that these reductions disproportionately impact immigrant families, who often rely on Medicaid as a lifeline while navigating the complexities of legal status and employment barriers.

The Detroit protest began at 10 a.m. with a peaceful march from the Detroit Riverfront to the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, where speakers addressed a growing crowd estimated at 5,000 by local police. Organizers had coordinated with city officials to ensure the event remained non-violent, but tensions rose when a small group of counter-protesters, waving Trump 2024 flags (despite the election being in the past), appeared on the sidelines. Shouts of "Build the wall!" clashed with the main group's calls for unity, but Detroit police maintained a buffer zone, preventing any physical altercations.

Among the key speakers was Dr. Aisha Patel, a pediatrician at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, who highlighted the human cost of the Medicaid cuts. "I've seen children come into my clinic with untreated asthma because their families can't afford the copays anymore," she said. "And for immigrant families, the fear of ICE means they avoid seeking care altogether. This isn't just policy—it's a public health crisis." Patel's remarks were met with thunderous applause, underscoring the rally's dual focus on immigration and healthcare.

Background on the issues reveals a tangled web of political maneuvering. Trump's administration famously implemented the "zero tolerance" policy in 2018, which separated thousands of migrant children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border. While that policy was officially ended, echoes of it persist in current enforcement practices. In 2025, with a divided Congress, bills like the Secure Borders Act—sponsored by Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), a Trump ally—have gained traction, authorizing increased ICE funding and expedited deportations. On the Medicaid front, the program's funding has been a perennial target for conservatives seeking to reduce federal spending. The latest cuts stem from the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2024, which imposed caps on discretionary spending, including health programs. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, has publicly condemned these measures, vowing to use state funds to mitigate the impacts, but protesters say it's not enough.

Interviews with attendees painted a vivid picture of widespread frustration. Jamal Thompson, a factory worker from Dearborn, attended with his wife and two young children. "My brother-in-law was deported last year, and now with Medicaid changes, my mom's diabetes treatment is at risk," he explained. "We're not criminals; we're just trying to live the American dream." Similarly, Sofia Chen, an undocumented immigrant who has lived in Detroit for 15 years, spoke anonymously about her fears. "I pay taxes, I contribute to this community, but one wrong move and ICE could take everything away. And without Medicaid, how do I care for my sick child?"

The protest also featured cultural elements, with performances by local musicians and artists who used poetry and song to amplify the message. A mural unveiled during the event depicted families holding hands across a divided landscape, symbolizing the need for comprehensive immigration reform and restored social safety nets. Organizers distributed informational pamphlets outlining demands, including an immediate moratorium on ICE family separations, full restoration of Medicaid funding, and pathways to citizenship for long-term residents.

As the day progressed, the rally evolved into a town hall-style discussion, where community leaders brainstormed solutions. Proposals included expanding legal aid for immigrants facing deportation and lobbying Michigan's congressional delegation to oppose further cuts. State Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) made a surprise appearance, pledging her support. "These policies are not just anti-immigrant; they're anti-family," she declared. "We need to fight back at every level—local, state, and federal."

By late afternoon, the crowd began to disperse, but not before a symbolic candlelight vigil for families affected by deportations and healthcare denials. Organizers announced plans for follow-up actions, including a national day of action in Washington, D.C., next month. "This is just the beginning," Gonzalez said in closing remarks. "Families First means putting people over politics, and we won't stop until our voices are heard."

The Detroit protest is part of a broader movement that has seen similar events in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. Advocacy groups report a surge in participation, with online petitions garnering millions of signatures. Critics of the protests, including some Republican officials, argue that the policies are necessary for national security and fiscal responsibility. "We can't have open borders and unlimited entitlements," said Michigan GOP Chair Pete Hoekstra in a statement. "These protests ignore the rule of law."

Yet, for the families at the center of the storm, the issues are deeply personal. As one protester, holding a sign that read "Trump's Legacy: Broken Homes," put it: "This isn't about politics; it's about survival." The rally in Detroit serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battles over immigration and healthcare in a polarized America, where the echoes of past administrations continue to shape the present.

In the wake of the event, local nonprofits like the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center reported an influx of calls for assistance, signaling that the protests are resonating beyond the streets. As night fell over the city, the message was clear: the fight for families first is far from over, with protesters vowing to keep the pressure on until meaningful change is achieved. (Word count: 1,128)

Read the Full Detroit Free Press Article at:
[ https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2025/07/27/families-first-protests-detroit-trump-ice-medicaid/85356310007/ ]