Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security office last Saturday in support of two residents they say were kidnapped by ICE.
Families of Frengel Reyes, 24, and Luis Marcano Silva, 26, said they were wrongly deported to an El Salvadorian prison in February. Protesters in Cypress Point Park outside the Tampa ICE office held signs with their photos saying “Bring Them Home.”
The protest was part of several local rallies and hundreds of nationwide events for 50501—”50 states, 50 protests, 1 movement.” Tampa joined St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Zephyrhills, Sarasota and Spring Hill in events organized by PSL Tampa Bay, Pinellas DSA and ANSWER Suncoast.
PSL Tampa Bay organizer Leo Gonzalez told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay they haven’t had an update on Reyes and Silva’s wellbeing in over a month. “The last time they spoke to their families was on March 15, a day before they were deported,” Gonzalez added.
Protesters also held signs and spoke out against the Trump and his DOGE department head Elon Musk, as well as in support of Palestine.
Similar protests are likely to pop up again in Tampa Bay for 50501’s next national day of action on Thursday, May 1.
50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave DeckerPSL Tampa Bay organizer Leo Gonzalez speaking about Tampa residents Frengel Reyes and Luis Marcano Silva, who he says were wrongfully deported to a CECOT facility in El Salvador. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave DeckerPSL Tampa Bay organizer Leo Gonzalez speaking about Tampa residents Frengel Reyes and Luis Marcano Silva, who he says were wrongfully deported to a CECOT facility in El Salvador. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave DeckerPSL Tampa Bay organizer Leo Gonzalez speaking about Tampa residents Frengel Reyes and Luis Marcano Silva, who he says were wrongfully deported to a CECOT facility in El Salvador. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker50501 protesters outside Tampa’s Department of Homeland Security on April 19, 2025. Credit: Dave Decker
Selene San Felice is managing editor of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Prior to joining CL in 2025, she started the Axios Tampa Bay newsletter and worked for her hometown paper, The Capital in Annapolis,...
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