ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was created to stop illegal immigrants from coming into the country in March, 2003. While they hadn’t been so prominent before, as of now, they are everywhere. Constant protests across the country against ICE have sprouted as they are deporting more and more individuals.
While they were meant to be deporting criminals, unfortunately, children who had to go with their parents to the country would get separated from their parents and sent to camps.
While ICE hasn’t entered any schools in CCSD, they have entered campuses in California, increasing the fear that they will come into schools in CCSD, among many students. To protest ICE from ever coming into schools in CCSD, students led a district-wide walkout.
Jhone Ebert, the new superintendent of CCSD, says ICE won’t be allowed to enter campuses unless they have a warrant. This keeps students safe inside schools. However, concerns are still there that they will enter anyway, especially since ICE agents murdered people like Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Renee Good was shot in her car by an ICE officer, who accused her of attempting to run him over. Alex Pretti was trying to shield a woman when he was shot and killed. The Trump Administration has painted both Good and Pretti as people who were attempting to harm the agents, when video footage shows that isn’t entirely true.
This hasn’t stopped students from standing up for those who aren’t in safe districts. Some schools, like the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, instead led a protest inside the school as ICE was on Fremont Street, which is a short way away from LVA and could end up being dangerous for students.
Eventually, staff trapped LVA students inside the newly built quad to prevent them from protesting during classes. This didn’t stop the students, as the protest continued until the school day ended.
Students have always used their voices throughout history to protest what they think is wrong, regardless of consequences, such as being arrested or getting in trouble with the school. Maybe one day, these protests will make a difference.
