Community members gather outside the Wyatt Detention Center to protest ICE detentions.
Community members in Central Falls protested the detentions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside the Wyatt Detention Center. The demonstration was prompted by the arrest of Rosane Ferreira De Oliveira, raising concerns about the treatment of immigrants in Rhode Island. Attendees included various local organizations advocating for the rights of immigrants as they highlighted the emotional toll of recent detentions, emphasizing the need for solidarity and reform in immigration practices.
Central Falls, R.I. – Community members gathered in front of the Wyatt Detention Center on Thursday to protest ongoing detentions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), triggered by the recent arrest of Brazilian woman Rosane Ferreira De Oliveira. The demonstration highlighted growing concerns about the treatment of immigrants in Rhode Island, particularly regarding perceived wrongful detentions by ICE.
The rally was organized following Ferreira De Oliveira’s arrest in Worcester, where she was reportedly living prior to her apprehension. Her attorney stated that ICE agents did not present a warrant during the arrest, raising questions about the legality of their actions. Organizers of the protest claimed that Ferreira De Oliveira’s case is not isolated, noting that dozens of other individuals have faced similar wrongful detentions in recent weeks.
One of the individuals currently detained at the Wyatt Detention Center is Vanhhatdy, also known as Lay, a resident of Rhode Island originally from Laos. Lay was taken into custody on March 27, and while his family chose to keep specific details private, their distress over his detention was evident. Previous arrests in Rhode Island included individuals in Newport in late January and another case in Central Falls in early March, adding to the community’s fears about ICE enforcement in the state.
Support for the protest came from various local organizations, including the Providence Youth Student Movement, the Deportation Defense Coalition, the Olneyville Neighborhood Association, and the Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance. These groups expressed a collective commitment to opposing ICE operations until immigrant communities are free from the threat of detention and deportation.
The emotional impact of these detentions was exemplified by the situation involving Vanhhatdy’s family, who articulated their hurt and anger over how ICE actions have disrupted their lives. Many in the community believe that ICE’s policies have been especially harsh under the previous administration, which has led to increased deportation efforts targeting longtime residents.
This protest comes on the heels of a late March demonstration that focused on the detention of two Southeast Asian men from Rhode Island, who are currently held at the Krome Detention Center in Florida. These individuals felt safe traveling in the U.S. because of their legal status as green card holders and their partnerships with U.S. citizens, highlighting the complexity and uncertainty many immigrants face.
Community leaders emphasized the significance of ICE’s presence in Providence, framing it as undermining decades of advocacy work aimed at reforming detention and deportation practices. The recent arrests, particularly that of Ferreira De Oliveira, have reignited tensions, given that her apprehension on May 8 was marked by chaos. Witnesses noted that her daughter attempted to obstruct the ICE vehicle while holding a newborn, resulting in her own arrest for reckless endangerment and other charges. Though she complied after being warned about the danger to her child, community members were alarmed by the circumstances surrounding the event.
Additionally, Ashley R. Spring, a candidate for the school committee, was also arrested during the incident, facing multiple charges including assault on a police officer. Spring has entered a not-guilty plea and has been released on her own recognizance, with a pre-trial hearing on the horizon.
As the community continues to rally against ICE’s actions, the situation remains tense, with advocates calling for solidarity and support for those affected by immigration enforcement measures. The ongoing protests serve as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by immigrant families in Rhode Island and across the country.
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