Eight anti-ICE protesters sentenced to 30-100 years for July 4 detention center protest
Jun 23, 2026·Location: Alvarado, TX

Eight anti-ICE activists were sentenced to 30 to 100 years in prison on June 23, 2026, following convictions on federal charges including riot, material support for terrorism, and explosives-related offenses stemming from a July 4, 2025 noise demonstration at Prairieland ICE Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas. Benjamin Hanil Song received a 100-year sentence after being convicted of attempted murder for allegedly shooting a police officer during the protest. Daniel Sanchez Estrada, a lawful permanent resident who was not present at the protest, received a 30-year sentence for transporting a box of antifascist zines after his wife attended the demonstration. The remaining six defendants received 50 to 70-year sentences. Defendants and their supporters challenged the convictions, arguing the government presented insufficient evidence and that the prosecution constituted political persecution, but sentencing proceeded despite pending motions to overturn the convictions.
Timeline
Sources
- Prairieland Defendant Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Moving a Box of Antifascist Zines
The Intercept·Jun 23, 2026·archived copy
iwpost.com·Jun 23, 2026·archived copy
- PBS
- Protesters sentenced to decades in US prison over alleged antifa ties
- Leader of group convicted in antifa-inspired attack on Texas ICE facility handed 100-year prison sentence
- Jury finds defendants guilty of terrorism-related charges in attack on Prairieland ICE detention center
- Seven more sentenced to prison over protest outside Texas detention center
The Guardian·Jul 1, 2026·archived copy
- Prairieland Protesters Sentenced to 30 to 100 Years for “Terrorism” Charges
truthout.org·Jun 23, 2026·archived copy
- Eight Federal Prairieland Defendants Sentenced Today to Prison Terms Ranging From 30-100 Years for Common Protest Activity - Support the Prairieland Defendants
prairielanddefendants.com·Jun 23, 2026·archived copy
- Eight Federal Prairieland Defendants to Be Sentenced on June 23, Followed By Defiant Rally and Press Conference - Support the Prairieland Defendants
prairielanddefendants.com·Jun 19, 2026·archived copy
- prairielanddefendants.com
- Anti-ICE Protesters Sentenced to Decades in Prison for “Terrorism”
newrepublic.com·Jun 23, 2026·archived copy
- Prairieland shooter gets 100 years, others 30-70 for ICE detention center ‘antifa’ protest
keranews.org·Jun 23, 2026·archived copy
- US Government Seeks to Deport Anti-fascist For Moving Zines
- Dec 4th, 2025 Press Release - ZINES ARE NOT A CRIME!
freedes.net·Dec 4, 2025·archived copy
- Texas man sentenced to 30 years for transporting pamphlets
- Defendant from Prairieland ICE Detention Center Protest Cases Surrenders to Federal Authorities – Abolition Media
- Making sure you're not a bot!
- The Relevance of the Prairieland Conviction to Printers and Zine Distributors
anarchistfederation.net·Mar 15, 2026·archived copy
- Defendants in Landmark Prairieland ICE Detention Center Case Move to Overturn Recent Federal Convictions - Support the Prairieland Defendants
web.archive.org·Mar 30, 2026·archived copy
- prairielanddefendants.com
- Federal Trial Verdict - Support the Prairieland Defendants
prairielanddefendants.com·Mar 13, 2026·archived copy
- Prairieland Defendants Seek Acquittal Following Federal Convictions
- From protest to prison cell: participants in anti-ICE and anti-fascist demonstrations sentenced to up to 30 years in prison • Fact In Face • Your right to know. Our job to expose.
factinface.net·Jun 24, 2026·archived copy
- Texas Judges Impose Severe Penalties on Prairieland Detention Center Protesters
newz.com·Jun 23, 2026·archived copy
- The Trump Admin Wants the Prairieland Sentences to Scare You Into Silence | Common Dreams
commondreams.org·Jun 29, 2026·archived copy
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