Sienna Miller | Head Editor
February 6, 2025
On February 4th, Los Angeles became a turning point in the rampant national movement demanding immigration reform. Thousands surged into the streets in a powerful display of protest against recent policy changes that have created disturbances in immigrant communities. This explosion of activism is due to a new act signed by President Donald Trump permitting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to conduct operations in public schools.
The Trump policy change which gives ICE agents legal authority to detain people in schools has created widespread fear within the immigrant communities, particularly in Los Angeles, which holds a massive immigrant population. Parents, students, and educators alike have expressed deep concerns for the safety of children and their families who face possible deportations or arrests while in school. Fears that students could be separated from their parents during the school day have spurred resistance across the city.
“A lot of my Peruvian family is scared,” said senior Elora Aguilar. “It’s tough being scared to walk outside or go to school because your president for the next 4 years stigmatized immigrants as criminals.”
This weekend’s protests coincided with the “Day Without Immigrants” movement, a nationwide action aimed at highlighting the critical contributions immigrants make to society. Many stayed home from work and school to show the government how significant immigrants are to the United States with their daily contributions to society. Los Angeles saw fierce protests, with even high school students skipping school to join demonstrations, which made their solidarity with their families and the broader immigrant community clear for all to see.
The protests escalated as demonstrators blocked part of the 101 Freeway and caused traffic to stop for several hours. Holding signs with “No ICE in Schools” and “Education, Not Detention,” protesters took over one of Los Angeles’s busiest highways and made their presence known. The freeway takeover became quite dramatic and symbolic as it meant to shine a light on what activists have described as an attack on the very core of immigrant families and their rights.
“As a first-generation American citizen, I was proud of all the people taking a stance and protesting in LA,” added senior Natalia Castaneda. “Overall, this is a very personal issue I don’t take lightly as the daughter of an immigrant father who I have watched work extremely hard to provide and support his family.”
As the protests came together, so did the calls for comprehensive immigration reform. Demonstrators are demanding not only the repeal of the ICE-in-schools policy but also broader reforms that protect immigrant rights, ensure a path to citizenship, and prevent family separations. The movement is calling for the need for a more humane immigration system that treats immigrants with dignity and respect, rather than criminalizing their presence in the country.
Reactions from the local authorities have been divided, as although these protests are widely peaceful, it has forced the city to deploy its increasingly uneasy police force. The mayor of Los Angeles reassured people of continuing immigration, and support to immigration communities promised that the city of L.A. would keep the schools safe to attend for all students regardless of immigration status. However, many protesters are demanding more concrete actions that would protect immigrant families from what they see as unnecessarily harsh policies.
The “Day Without Immigrants” action sent a distinct message that the fight for immigration reform is anything but over. The demand for immigrant rights is nowhere near a close and is only building momentum. It is evident that a better immigration system that values each life, regardless of ethnicity and immigration status is needed in the United States.
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