Eight activists were sentenced to heavy prison terms of 30 to 100 years for their role in a violent July 2025 attack on a U.S. immigration detention facility in Texas, federal prosecutors said. The assault targeted the Prairieland detention center in Alvarado, where the group allegedly opened fire on law enforcement officers.
According to the indictment, the defendants were members of the far-left Antifa movement and wore black tactical gear during the operation. One police officer was wounded in the incident.
Benjamin Song, whom prosecutors described as the operation’s organizer, was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 100 years in prison. The other seven defendants received sentences ranging from 30 to 70 years after being found guilty, among other charges, of rioting and supporting terrorism.
Defense lawyers argued that the incident was a protest meant to show support for migrants held at the facility and denied that the group had any connection to Antifa. Song’s lawyer, Philip Hayes, said, “These are not a bunch of terrorists. They are young people with big hearts who wanted their voices to be heard.” Song has said through his attorney that he intends to appeal both his conviction and sentence.
