Supporters of Pascual Pedro hold signs July 9, 2025, outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Chanting “bring Pascual home,” more than 100 people gathered outside of the Cedar Rapids U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in support of Pascual Pedro, a former Iowa high school soccer star recently deported to Guatemala.

Alejandra Escobar, community organizer with Eschucha Mi Voz, a faith-based, immigrant-led nonprofit that helped organize the July 9, 2025, demonstration, said Pedro, 20, was denied due process.

He was not in custody in Guatemala, Escobar said, as he has no criminal record.

Pedro was deported to Guatemala over the weekend after being detained by ICE officers July 1 during an annual check-in as part of his supervision order that allowed him to remain in the United States since immigrating to Iowa with his father when he was 13.

Alejandra Escobar, community organizer with Eschucha Mi Voz, speaks to other demonstrators in front of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, ICE office on July 9, 2025. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

“He’s a good kid,” Escobar said of Pedro, who worked in construction in Iowa and had been a star soccer player for West Liberty High School.

Escobar said supporters plan to meet with staffers for U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Joni Ernst in Davenport and will hold more demonstrations.

“We hope that people take action,” she said. “That it moves some hearts and encourages people to fight for justice, fight for due process, for dignity, for respect.”

Some of the demonstrators moved to 33rd Avenue SW after about 30 minutes in front of the Cedar Rapids ICE office, 3351 Square D Dr. SW.

The Rev. Peggy Garrigues, of Solon United Methodist Church, held a sign outside of the ICE office reading “Jesus Loves Immigrants.”

She was among speakers who, although they didn’t personally know Pedro, wanted to show their support.

The Rev. Peggy Garrigues, of Solon United Methodist Church, stands outside of the ICE office in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

“We have no idea what impact it will have,” Garrigues said of the protests. “We hope it will bring things to light.”

Demonstrators traveled to Cedar Rapids from Fairfax, Iowa City, and other Eastern Iowa towns, including West Liberty.

Dylan Hillyer said he didn’t know Pedro personally, but grew up in West Liberty.

“It’s a very tight-knit community,” Hillyer said, encouraging supporters to call their legislators. “He was doing what he was supposed to be doing. This is sneaky. It’s not right and it doesn’t make any damn sense.”

See photos from a previous Cedar Rapids demonstration and more from the ICE protest, below: