Many NYC school students are using their voices to protest ICE amid nationwide tensions. On Friday, January 30, NYC students joined planned protests across the city by participating in school walkouts to show solidarity with the people of Minnesota and protest the ongoing ICE raids happening across the country.
Led by the organization 50501, the “ICE OUT!” rally took place in Foley Square, Manhattan, as part of a nationwide shutdown. Partially, this was in response to the killing of civilians, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis, Minnesota by ICE agents. Others also feel it’s a response to the belief that ICE has overstepped its authority.
The planned protest encouraged students to walk out, workers to walk off the job, and consumers to refrain from shopping. Collectively, students were part of a movement to express their discontent and what they perceived as an authoritarian overstep by ICE, based on its actions in Minnesota.
Most students don’t yet have the right to vote, but they can certainly participate in civic and social change by calling representatives and being visible as a community of young people in well-organized protests.
In late January 2026, a survey was shared with the iSchool community to gauge perceptions of ICE and their actions in Minnesota. Surprisingly, 21% of respondents mentioned calling their representatives to express their disapproval with ICE completely unprompted. This illustrates how there are many ways to get involved in influencing policy, and the iSchool community is doing its part.
As for organized protests, they have become an increasingly popular means of calling for action. By gathering a large group and demanding change, it shows politicians (both at the civic and national levels) that everyday civilians are paying attention.
An iSchool freshman shared that “Protesting is a way to be sure that your voice is out there. It gives voice to the voiceless who are unable to risk themselves the same way that I could as an immigrant. It felt inspiring and encouraging!” The vast majority of respondents shared that they either attended the January 30th protest against ICE, or plan to attend more similar-minded protests in the future.
Student protests have historically been a catalyst for social change. Youth voices have spurred change and driven many major reforms, from sit-ins across college campuses and the Freedom Riders in the 1960’s to the Kent State protests for Cambodia in the 1970’s, to the Tiananmen Square protests in the 1980’s against the oppressive Chinese government, and the March for Our Lives movement in the late 2010’s.
Most high school students may not yet have the right to vote, however, they have the power of social media to amplify messaging and organize around their beliefs. In the weeks leading up to the protest, an Instagram account, “@ischoolactivism,” was created. Along with the spread of politically motivated accounts, many students have used digital means to promote events and share information. Around one quarter of survey respondents mentioned posting, reposting, liking, or finding information regarding ICE via social media.
With 96% of surveyed respondents sharing that they were between “somewhat” and “extremely” anti-ICE, it is clear where the iSchool community stands. Many community members shared that, in addition to protesting, they have spent time calling representatives, posting on social media, donating to immigrant rights groups, signing petitions, and further researching for their own knowledge.
Additionally, many iSchool parents are taking actions to fight back against ICE. One parent shared that they “run a legal clinic for migrants and have filed several habeas petitions on behalf of incarcerated migrants; [they] also belong to the deportation defense mutual aid group for downtown Brooklyn.” Parents are often key players in fighting for the policies they believe in, and as shown in the iSchool survey, parents of iSchool students are very involved in influencing change.
The timing of the “ICE OUT!” walkout was critical, as Congress was about to vote on a budget and allocate ICE funding. On Feb. 3, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a major government funding package by a 217-214 vote, averting a broader federal shutdown.
217 members voted “yes” to pass the package — 196 Republicans and 21 Democrats. 214 voted “no” — 193 Democrats and 21 Republicans, including New York State Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, who joined other Democrats in voting against a House-passed Republican funding bill, which aimed to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Around the same time, on Feb 6th, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed an Executive Order strengthening the city’s sanctuary status by prohibiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from entering city properties—such as schools, hospitals, and shelters—without a judicial warrant. The order aimed to protect immigrant communities and limit collaboration with federal immigration enforcement.
For many NYC iSchool students, protesting goes beyond politics and becomes about protecting safety and stability, especially for those with immigrant backgrounds who may be directly affected by harsh ICE policies. “It’s good to do something active when it often feels like we are powerless in the face of the federal government,” said one iSchool teacher who classified themselves as “EXTREMELY anti-ICE.”
At moments like this, staying informed and engaged matters. Exercising the right to protest does too. But protests don’t just exist in crowded streets or on the steps of City Hall. Organizations such as Make the Road New York, New York Immigration Coalition, and Legal Aid Society provide critical services and opportunities to make one’s voice count, whether through volunteering, donations, or translation services.
At NYC iSchool, the community has made it clear that their choice is to stand together to support the rights of immigrants in a “necessary fight for justice,” as stated by an iSchool student. Time and time again, iSchool students have proven that when they care enough about a cause, they plan to act!
