ICE off our campus: Students protest law enforcement activity
On Jan. 28, more than 2,500 students and faculty organized in the Bruin Plaza for the ICE Murderers Out Walkout, protesting the unlawful US Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids throughout Los Angeles and cities across the United States. Organizers called on the US government to abolish ICE and UCLA to declare itself a sanctuary campus, according to Undergraduate Student Association Council President Diego Bollo.
“We were really excited to see students show up physically and vocalize their support in campus policies such as [creating a] sanctuary campus, refusing to cooperate with federal officials and not sharing student data without a warning,” said Bollo. “This means a lot to students, to use their First Amendment right to advocate for themselves and speak out against these unfair and inhumane policies.”
Over three days, the USAC offices held a poster-making event, a walkout and a vigil commemorating lives lost at the hands of federal agents. The peaceful walkout, organized alongside student groups including the Afrikan Student Union and American Indian Students Association, featured speeches from students, faculty and organizers.
Attendees held signs reading displaying phrases such as “No one’s illegal on stolen land” and “I prefer my ICE crushed.” Advocates, including Afrikan Student Union Vice President Cierra Anguiano, spoke to protect students and bring justice to vulnerable individuals, notably Black, Brown and undocumented communities.
“As a Black community, we know this pattern all too well. Seeing surveillance framed as public safety raids, as law enforcement deaths as unfortunate but justified. This is a continuous repackaging of the same playbook, violating human rights and targeting people of color,” said Anguinano during her speech. “And this is exactly what is happening with ICE.”
This massive turnout came shortly after the violent deaths of three US citizens at the hands of ICE agents, named Keith Porter Jr., Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Notably, demonstrators called to remember Porter, a young Black man shot by an off-duty ICE agent in neighboring Northridge; his family is expected to attend the vigil on Thursday, Jan. 29.
For many students these issues hit close to home, including Veronica Espinoza from the Internal Vice President’s office.
“Some of my family members are too scared to leave our home or go to work,” said Espinoza. “It brings such anger knowing that my family and my friends, especially in our student body, are not able to go to school and live their lives without fear.”
Since the Trump administration deployed immigration enforcement agents nationwide, students have expressed concern about the potential of ICE presence on campus, especially as UCLA is not yet a sanctuary campus. Bollo says unconfirmed reports and social media posts about immigration officials have been frequently shared with university leadership, though many “sightings” turn out to be routine federal checks or ROTC personnel. According to Bollo, USAC is in ongoing contact with Associate Vice Chancellor of Campus and Community Safety Steve Lurry to ensure student safety.
Despite ongoing injustice, violence and uneasiness, the walkout provided students an outlet to express themselves and support each other, according to Internal Vice President Tommy Contreras.
“For the first time in a while, rather than just feeling fear, I felt hope and I felt happiness in seeing my community come together and to place that trust in one another. We’re here for each other,” said Contreras.
