On Saturday, February 28, Democrats Abroad Baja will hold a peaceful rally at Parque Niños Héroes de Chapultepec in Mexicali from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., protesting ICE activity in U.S. cities and offering voter assistance for Americans living in Mexico.
The event, titled “ICE Out Now! Day of Defiance Against Trump,” appears on Democrats Abroad’s public event listings and includes an RSVP link. Organizers state that the gathering aims to oppose what they describe as unlawful detention and extradition tied to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. They reference enforcement activity in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, Atlanta, Miami, Denver, and Phoenix, as well as detention facilities and field offices in Texas, California, Louisiana, and Arizona.
Why Mexicali is part of the story
Mexicali does not live in isolation from U.S. policy. Families cross daily. Businesses depend on both sides. So when immigration enforcement intensifies in American cities, conversations here follow quickly.
Organizers frame the rally as a call for transparency, oversight, and reform. Yet the local relevance centers on the many U.S. citizens and long-term residents who live in Baja California while maintaining civic ties north of the border. Meanwhile, immigration debates often influence travel plans, legal processes, and family logistics in very practical ways.
Corporate detention debate
The press materials also mention CoreCivic and GEO Group, two of the largest private companies operating detention facilities in the United States under federal contracts, including contracts related to ICE. In recent years, both companies have been part of broader public debate over the role of private contractors in immigration detention.
The document further raises concerns about access to detention facilities by elected officials. In recent months, some U.S. lawmakers have publicly stated that they were denied entry to certain centers when attempting oversight visits. The issue of congressional access and inspection authority has generated legal and political discussion.
I am reporting these claims in accordance with the official press materials provided by the organizers.
Voter assistance for Americans abroad
In addition to the rally program, trained Voter Assistance volunteers will be present to help eligible U.S. citizens living in Mexico request their 2026 absentee ballots through VoteFromAbroad.org. U.S. citizens residing outside the United States must request their ballots each calendar year.
So the event also serves as a practical reminder. Now is the time to submit ballot requests rather than wait for deadlines to approach. Also, for many expats, navigating absentee voting procedures from abroad can feel confusing. In-person guidance can simplify the process.
What to know before you go
The rally takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Parque Niños Héroes de Chapultepec, located at Avenida Reforma and Manuel Altamirano in Mexicali. Organizers encourage participants to bring signs, sunscreen, and hats. Because it is a public park, access remains open and conditions will reflect a typical weekend in the civic area.
As always, we share information about events that may interest our cross-border community. If you, your organization, or your community would like to promote an upcoming event, you can find our events calendar at https://ggnorth.com/events/ and submit details at
http://ggnorth.com/your-event.
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