El Rancho High School students walkout protesting ICE and Trump’s immigration policies

El Rancho High School students in Pico Rivera led a walkout around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11, protesting against Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, deportation and President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. 

One policy being protested is ICE entering schools to make arrests. At the end of January, the Trump administration mandated this new policy, which also allows ICE arrests in healthcare facilities and places of worship.

Students in the crowd waved Mexico flags, posters that read “Immigrants Make America Great Again,” “Nobody is illegal on stolen land” and more. 

Some students were made aware of the planned walkout due to an Instagram post being shared amongst each other. Others walked out with their classmates during class. 

“I was in class and I didn’t know if it was going to happen, but I was planning with [a friend] to go. Nothing had happened until we got to the cafeteria and people started walking out,” 10th grader Kambria said. 

As the walkout started, Kambria saw teachers passing out markers to students to make posters. Seeing that brought a feeling of solace.

“It’s comforting for people that are not here legally or that don’t feel safe with these raids. It was nice,” Kambria said. She added that having support from teachers made a big difference to her. 

Before walking the streets of Pico Rivera, students gathered in front of city hall, which is directly next to the school. 

Students walked around the city including on Passons and Washington Boulevards, and made their way to the Rosemead Boulevard overpass bridge. 

Tenth grader Hector walked out to show support for some of his friends who arrived from out of the country. 

“It’s really messed up to send people back because they obviously came here for a reason. They want to be here. This country was built on Mexican people,” Hector said. 

“Honestly, it’s really [f-word] to send people back. Imagine, you’re just a kid and you come home to find out your parents got deported. What if you have no more family left in America? It’s a scary thought,” he continued. 

There have been students around the country who have not attended school for fear of the ICE raids and of possibly being separated from their families. 

Ninth grader Kammilla felt the unity of students coming together to support the community and other students who fear being deported. 

“It really helps to give the idea that people do care and we’re not alone in this. People do understand what we’re trying to do today,” she said. 

While Kammilla doesn’t personally know who can be affected by the possible ICE raids, she’s speaking out for those who cannot speak for themselves. 

Student walkouts throughout Los Angeles County have started since last week, including schools from East Los Angeles, Compton and South Gate. 

On Sunday, February 2, thousands of protesters gathered in downtown Los Angeles to protest mass deportations. Many gathered on both sides of the 101 freeway, which was blocked for several hours that day. 

On February 7, The Los Angeles Times reported a leaked document stating a “large scale” immigration action will be happening in Los Angeles soon before the end of this month. ICE did not respond to a request to comment from the Los Angeles Times. 

Schools around the country have been preparing in case ICE attempts to enter campuses. 

Teachers at the Los Angeles Unified School District provided “Know Your Rights” cards and had training in case of possible ICE raids in schools. 

There have also been people impersonating ICE agents around the LAUSD community. 

In a statement warning about the impersonators, LAUSD superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho wrote on X (formally known as Twitter): 

“We are aware of reports that individuals alleging to be law enforcement or ICE agents have approached some in our community. This has the effect of generating fear within our communities,” he wrote. 

“Please be advised that falsely impersonating a local, state or federal agency or law enforcement official is illegal. The District stands in strong condemnation of those who seek to intimidate or disrupt those in and around our schools and will work in partnership with school police and law enforcement partners to address any and all violations targeted against our schools,” he continued.  

People have reported and shared social media posts of ICE in their communities to warn others of their presence. However, there are also fake reports and rumors circling social media.  

A post was made on a Pico Rivera Facebook neighborhood group city page about ICE coming to the city on Tuesday, January 28 at 10 a.m. on the corner of Paramount Boulevard and Beverly Boulevard. 

A group member saw the post and went to the destination, but ICE was not there. Since then, the original post has been deleted. 

People who have seen ICE are posting anonymously to People over Papers on padlet.com to let others know. Although the sightings are not confirmed, the posts are being reviewed by moderators.

To report ICE activity via phone, contact the following rapid response network:

• Central Valley - 559-206-0151  

• Kern County - 661-432-2230  

• Los Angeles - 888-624-4752  

• Orange County - 714-881-1558  

• San Bernardino/Riverside - 909-361-4588 

• CHIRLA - 213-353-1333  

• ORALE (Long Beach) - 562-276-0267  

• Immigrant Rapid Response Hotline (Santa Barbara, Ventura & San Luis Obispo) - 805-870-8855