{"id":157459,"date":"2026-01-31T02:29:41","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T02:29:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/157459\/"},"modified":"2026-01-31T02:29:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T02:29:41","slug":"students-walk-out-across-orange-county-protesting-ice-raids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/157459\/","title":{"rendered":"Students Walk Out Across Orange County Protesting ICE Raids"},"content":{"rendered":"

Students walked out of classrooms across Orange County mid-day on Friday as part of a national shutdown to protest ICE raids.<\/p>\n

The protests were motivated around the controversy surrounding ICE enforcement In Minneapolis, where starting in December 2025, Operation Metro Surge began targeting undocumented immigrants for deportation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The operation has drawn heightened protests after the killings of Renee Good<\/a> and Alex Pretti<\/a> by federal agents.<\/p>\n

Although the Trump administration argues that immigrants with a history of violent crimes are the ones being targeted, recent data has shown that many of the detained immigrants have no record of criminal convictions.<\/p>\n

As of Dec. 26, detention data<\/a> from the U.S Department of Homeland Security shows only 31% of detainees have criminal convictions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Protesters walk alongside the road in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: JOSIAH MENDOZA, Voice of OC.<\/p>\n

Walk-outs occurred in schools across the county, stretching from Dana Point to Lake Forest to Anaheim and Santa Ana.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI think students should protest. I think you should get organized with other students, and I think you should just look back at the civil rights movement,\u201d said Adan, a 16-year old student from Anaheim High School protests.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Anaheim High School students protest on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: JOSIAH MENDOZA, Voice of OC.<\/p>\n

These walk-outs are unique because, according to OC Indivisible Coalition Organizer Amy Stevens, they are all created by students.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is about the students\u2026 its all student led, all student organized there are not adults pushing this at all,\u201d said Stevens.<\/p>\n

At Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo, hundreds of students poured out of classrooms at 11 a.m. to join the nationwide movement, bringing signs and posters to protest down Marguerite and Avery Pkwy.<\/p>\n

\"\"Students at Capistrano Valley High School hold up signs as they walk out on the day of the national shutdown on Friday, Jan. 30. 2026. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat they\u2019re doing is fundamentally wrong, people are getting murdered on the streets,\u201d said Leon, a Capistrano Valley Senior.<\/p>\n

Rogelio, a sophomore at Capistrano Valley also participated in the walkout, saying that he, \u201cWanted to support that ICE isn\u2019t welcome here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"A Capistrano Valley Sophomore stands with a Mexican flag during the Capistrano Valley walkout on Friday, Jan. 30. 2026. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople should feel safe wherever they want,\u201d said Rogelio.<\/p>\n

In Santa Ana, Godinez High School students made their way down Edinger Ave. carrying poster boards with all sorts of anti-ICE messages.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Students participate in a walkout in Santa Ana, Calif., on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: TOBY SHAPIRO, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

\u201cWe came to kick ICE out of Santa Ana,\u201d said Godinez student Kiara.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI came here to support my family and to kick out ICE because what they are doing is not right. Every human being is just a human being, and they should respect that there is no difference between people, no matter different colors and shapes,\u201d added Ximena another Godinez student.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Students during a walkout in Santa Ana, Calif., on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: TOBY SHAPIRO, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

Just a couple miles up the street from Godinez Fundamental High School, students from another high school\u00a0 \u2013 Valley High School \u2013 participated in the walkout.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to start something big,\u201d said Karla, a Valley High School student.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do not want to cause a dangerous protest; we want to do this peacefully and as safely as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Karla and her high school friends from Valley pose for a photo in Santa Ana. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

Eventually, Godinez and Valley students met each other on Bristol St. and marched together.<\/p>\n

\"\"Students from Godinez and Valley High Schools meet on Bristol St. in Santa Ana to protest ICE on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

Irvine students joined the national walkout as well in spite of their district saying they would not allow it.<\/p>\n

Students at Sage Hill High School in Newport Coast also organized a sit-in at their campus town square since a full walk out was not permitted within their school environment.<\/p>\n

One of the organizers, Isaac, a Sage Hill High School Senior stated that, \u201cThis action reflects a broader wave of youth activism, highlighting how students across the country are responding to national events and advocating for change. \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething that I think could be transformative here in Orange County is helping to grow empathy in the people in our county, having them broaden their perspective on who their neighbor is, that a neighbor doesn\u2019t have to live nearby or look like you or think like you,\u201d said Stevens who offered assistance to students reaching out to organize their walk-outs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWatching those kids stream out of the school and down the sidewalk was so inspiring and moving.\u201d<\/p>\n

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