‘American by birth. Mexican by blood’: Protesters gather in Wimauma to support immigrants

Last Sunday in Wimauma, dozens of community members were in the streets in support of immigrants who, as one sign said, “built this nation.”

The Southern Hillsborough neighborhood is home to many migrant workers, and signs at the rally said, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you,” and “Don’t destroy my family.” One man in a luchador mask held one up that read, “I built 80 houses in Sun City,” while another woman wore a shirt saying, “American by birth. Mexican by blood.”

The gathering came after large demonstrations in Tampa and Sarasota, and just three days after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a package of immigration laws that, in part, disqualifies Florida students who are in the U.S. without legal authorization from getting in-state tuition at colleges and universities.

The new laws are meant to support the Trump administration’s approach to immigration, including its desire to end birthright citizenship (only 56% of Republicans recently polled by NPR approve of that measure).

While crowds at last Sunday’s Wimauma protesters were smaller than gatherings last month, more President’s Day protests were planned outside Tampa City Hall today.