‘Our students need to know that we’re here to fight for them’: A school organizes to protect its students from ICE
Together with social workers, psychologists and counselors, administrators at a Los Angeles center are drawing up a plan to protect and provide emotional support for students affected by immigration raids
In June 2025, Los Angeles became the epicenter of a deportation campaign by the Trump administration. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, backed by National Guard troops and Marines, swept into the city, with a significant presence in South Los Angeles. For Axel Lopez, a high school junior in the area, the threat materialized in his neighborhood.
One day in August, Lopez and his brother were alarmed by a crowd shouting "ICE! ICE! ICE!" and witnessed agents following their truck. Lopez, only 16 at the time, described feeling terrified and shaking. The incident sparked concern among Axel and his peers, prompting Assistant Principal Lorena Reynoso to investigate the situation.
Reynoso reached out to community members and found that many families were unaware of their rights and needed emotional support. She worked with social workers, psychologists, and counselors to create a safety plan, distribute "Know Your Rights" cards, and organize food distribution. The fear and anxiety caused by ICE agents' tactics led to a 7,000-student attendance decline.
Reynoso emphasized that schools must be more than just academic institutions; they must protect students' emotional well-being. To address the issue, staff members, including Reynoso, wore clothing with designs from their parents' native countries to build a sense of cultural pride among students. This approach helped students feel more secure and encouraged them to stay in school.
Written by urgent.news from El Pais English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
