Students walk out to protest ICE raids

Students walk on Ross Road during a protest against recent ICE raids across the country on January 29, 2026 during the school day. Photo by Alizabeth Westfall.

In response to recent ICE raids across the country, students walked out during 7th period until the end of the school day, holding posters and chanting, to raise awareness about what they described as unjust treatment of immigrant communities. 

At the start of the walkout, students headed to the gym where they chanted and shared their personal stories. After about 30 minutes there, students split into two groups to walk out of the school. One group went straight to the athletic stadium and the other went South of Ross Road, turned left towards the administration building, then joined the others at the athletic stadium. According to one of the protest organizers, senior America Loza, approximately over 300 students took part in the walk out.  

“We have power over everything,” Loza said. “We need to speak out.” 

Student holds a poster while chanting during the Del Valle walkout against ICE on January 29, 2026. Photo by Bridgette Tovar-Pineda.

The protest is part of a larger movement of high school student walkouts happening nationwide in response to recent ICE raids and enforcement actions. Junior Julio Ramirez was one of the organizers who promoted the protest through the Instagram account @changefordv. 

“I just wanted the community and kids from this school to know that they have a voice and they can feel heard,” Ramirez said.

Several students at the protest shared their personal stories about immigration, describing the fear and uncertainty their families have faced in recent months. 

“A family member of mine got deported back to Honduras not that long ago," said junior Johnny Lopez, one of the organizers. “So being a part of this protest feels good because I'm standing up for what's right.” 

Students shared they fear for their safety after ICU nurse Alex Pretti and poet, wife

, and mother of three Renee Good were murdered this past month by ICE in Minneapolis during two separate clashes with ICE agents. 

Student holds a poster that translates to "I am the voice of my family," while chanting during the Del Valle walkout against ICE on January 29, 2026. Photo by Alizabeth Westfall.

“I’m scared,” senior Arturo Hernandez said. “I’m scared to leave my house even as a U.S. citizen.”

Students shared that they not only fear for themselves but also for their loved ones. 

“My mom is undocumented. She stands no chance on these streets,” an anonymous student said. “I'm scared for my mom.”