Trump looms over Texas border rally targeting illegal immigration

QUEMADO, Texas: Protesters who trekked in a vehicle convoy to Texas this week, including some flying pro-Donald Trump banners alongside American and Texas flags, are expected to rally against illegal immigration near the U.S.-Mexico border on Saturday.

Dozens of cars gathered outside a Christian children’s ranch in the remote town of Quemado on Friday night, some adorned with Trump paraphernalia and other conservative messages. Border security remained an overarching theme, but protesters also carried signs opposing the Black Lives Matter movement while others spoke of unfounded government conspiracies related to COVID-19 vaccines. Immigration has become a potent political issue in an election year likely to see a rematch between Trump, a Republican, and his Democratic successor, President Joe Biden.

Trump has motivated his base voters with calls for more restrictive border practices, while critics worry such policies and events like the convoy could fuel anti-immigrant sentiment. Rob Brace, a 79-year-old retired podiatrist, rode his motorcycle alone eight hours from McAllen, Texas, to greet the convoy, saying he felt compelled to come because of the high levels of illegal immigration. “People just seem to ignore the fact that our country is in a very bad situation,” he said. A long line of cars, trucks and campers paraded into the ranch around 8 p.m. with horn honking and cheers. The “Take Our Border Back” protest began with a vehicle convoy that trekked from Virginia to Quemado, near Eagle Pass - a border area at the forefront of legal and political disputes over immigration enforcement. Smaller events were planned in Yuma, Arizona, and San Ysidro, California. U.S. Representative Keith Self, a conservative Republican who represents a district in northeast Texas, plans to speak at Saturday’s rally. Whether other lawmakers or national figures might appear remained unclear.

Conservative personalities Sarah Palin, a former Republican vice presidential candidate, and Ted Nugent, a rock musician and outspoken gun rights proponent, made an unannounced appearance on Thursday as the convoy overnighted further north in Dripping Springs, Texas.