On June 9, 2025, Texas found itself at the center of a heated public confrontation triggered by a new wave of deportations. Demonstrations flared up with renewed vigor after recent events in California and have now swept through major cities in the southern state — Austin, Dallas, and Santa Ana. People are taking to the streets calling for an end to harsh policies toward migrants, organizing marches, blocking roads, building barricades out of trash cans, and throwing fireworks at the police. Some of them are holding flags and posters and chanting slogans — there is a sense of alarm and determination in the air.
This surge of discontent is a reaction to the actions of federal agencies, which have launched a series of raids to detain illegal migrants. Authorities confirm that tens of thousands of people have already been placed in temporary detention centers, and the situation on the streets of major cities is becoming increasingly tense. In Austin, protesters blocked the busy I-35 highway, in Dallas there were several clashes with the police, and in Santa Ana there were fires and spontaneous barricades.
The situation is unfolding against the backdrop of a tougher federal stance on deportation, initiated after the change of administration at the beginning of the year. As part of a large-scale campaign since the beginning of 2025, more than 158,000 people have been detained, most of whom are Mexican nationals. This policy is particularly painful in Texas, where more than 1.5 million people live without official documents, many of whom have long lived and worked in local communities, raised children, and paid taxes.
A recent incident in Austin, where protesters surrounded the immigration office building, highlights the growing gap between the official position of the authorities and the sentiments of part of society. People report cases of families with children being detained, as well as those who have legal status. Protesters are demanding reforms — they want to hear that their voices matter.
Against this backdrop, Texas authorities are stepping up measures: Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the National Guard to be called in to maintain control in Dallas and Austin. Law enforcement officials assure that they are acting strictly within the law, but civil society organizations claim that excessive force is being used and are demanding investigations.
What is happening in Texas is not just local unrest. It is a reflection of deep contradictions in a society that is still seeking a balance between security and humanity, law and justice. The protests are bringing long-delayed questions to the forefront: What should a modern immigration system look like? Where is the line between law and morality? And how much influence can the voice of citizens have on the course chosen by the authorities?
America is only just beginning to seek answers to these questions — amid the roar of marches, chanting crowds, and the flickering light of fireworks over the streets of Texas.
