In the past few months, ICE has been going to many different states, questioning a lot of people about their immigration status. Allegedly ICE has been tracking down people to find illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds for deportation. However, lots of people say they want to protect their neighbors, many of whom are in the country without being legal, but they have no criminal background.

“The protests are good of heart. I’ve seen some reductions of ICE agents going around. So I think it’s very good,” said sophomore Lucas Martins. 

People go around and set up times, schedules and locations of where to do the protest. One protest was held in Chicago after a shooting of an American citizen, Renee Good, who was shot and killed by ICE in early January 2026. Her death sparked many protests.

Sophomore Cecilia Torrez mentioned that although she and her family have identification, they are still afraid to go outside, just to go to work. 

“My family and I were very scared. My mom was scared to go to work. She would bring all her identification to work because we are being racially profiled,” said Torrez. 

Hundreds of people in Minneapolis took part in the protests in late January. Many were arrested while blocking a road near an airport, as they were also singing religious songs like the civil rights protests. Some of the protest’s music power has to do with the singing itself. 

Making music in a group creates a sense of community and also a collective purpose. Freedom songs create one of the most successful protest movements, and create bonds, not just with the people that are singing, but also with people who have had a past experience with ICE. 

Locally, some students in our school are planning a walkout this February to show support and raise awareness for immigrant rights and ICE-related issues. Students plan to step out of class together to peacefully express their opinions and advocate for changes in current policies.