Four people were arrested as protests in Austin over the ICE killing of Renee Nicole Good spread into downtown, blocking streets and prompting police to use pepperballs.

Several protesters were detained and came into contact with tear gas Wednesday near a Dilley detention facility where a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father are being held.

Hundreds of protesters are calling on Austin city leaders to do more to protect immigrants in the community.

As Austin tries to calm public fear and anger over federal immigration enforcement, critics question whether officials are simply taking ICE at its word.

Amid swirling concerns and social media talk of ramped-up U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Austin – including a possible focus on warming centers during a brutal cold snap – Mayor Kirk Watson said he has been told federal agents are conducting only “regular” operations.

The father and son were detained on Jan. 20 in Minnesota.