CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Immigrant advocates gathered for the first time since a towering fence was erected outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Cedar Rapids.
An estimated 200 people joined together early on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in support of immigrants who attend check-ins at the building the Department of Homeland Security leases at 3351 Square D Drive SW, with a handful of supporters still remaining later in the morning.
While documents filed with the city of Cedar Rapids indicated privacy netting would be included with the 7- and 10-foot-tall chain-link fence, only the new fencing so far has been installed.
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Roses were inserted in the new fence outside of the ICE office in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Immigrant advocates have said the fence isn’t needed for security, as no issues have arisen between ICE agents and those who attend the check-ins. Rather, they said, the fence is used to block humanitarian aid from the advocates who offer blankets, umbrellas, water or other support to those attending their appointments, who sometimes have to wait outside with their children for hours.
“It’s just cruel,” said Lisa Hannon, who stood outside in below-freezing wind-chills, to support those going to their check-ins.
Four dozen roses were placed in the fence on Tuesday to symbolize the 48 known deaths of detainees in ICE custody, “a sign that even in the face of ICE, we choose love,” the Iowa City Catholic Worker group and Escucha Mi Voz Iowa noted.
Members of Indivisible Iowa also attended.
A family enters the ICE office in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for an appointment on April 7, 2026. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Amy Krieger, who drove on her own from Mount Union, gave a thumbs-up to people successfully leaving their appointments and encouraging a mother with three children as they entered the office.
She and other supporters had to stand outside of the fence for the first time since it was built in late March.
While some successfully left their appointments, at least one was told to return in July with a plane ticket to self-deport, the advocates said.
“It’s heart-breaking,” Hannon said, citing a mother who attended her appointment with a baby in her arms. “Every time it’s heart-breaking.”
Read more: Fence nears completion at Cedar Rapids ICE office and see more photos, below:
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