Why we walked out
Note: The opinions addressed in this article do not reflect the opinions of the entire Griffin Gazette staff.
LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – On Feb. 11, 2026, at 10:35 a.m., Los Alamitos High School students walked out of their nutrition period to make a statement against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Students created a united front to stand up for what they believe in and address the issues America is facing today.
Protests against ICE have been increasing among many high school students across America, and on Jan. 30, 2026, many schools nationwide participated in a walkout; LAHS did not participate in this nationwide event. However, the following week, an Instagram account by the name of @losal_walkout, created by students, started the movement for LAHS students to participate in their own walkout.
Reasons behind the walkout
The main focus of the LAHS students who participated in the walkout was to express dissatisfaction with how President Trump has been handling immigration. The Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration has caused an uproar of outrage within America. There has been an increase in deportations, with Mexican deportations being the highest; over 145,000 Mexican immigrants have been deported under Trump
Many immigrants have lived in America for decades, building families and creating new lives. The Trump administration has torn families apart, separating children from their mothers and fathers. Young Americans across the nation are worried for their immigrant parents or grandparents.
These ideas also correlate with the increased number of ICE agents who are undertrained and overpaid. This is particularly dangerous, as many agents are carrying weapons and threatening Americans. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, there has been a 120% increase in the hiring of ICE agents under Trump, as well as a skyrocketing ICE budget.
Based on, there have been eight people who have died from ICE attacks in 2026 alone. Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, Geraldo Lunas Campos, Victor Manuel Diaz, Parady La, Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz and Herber Sanchez Dominguez all died while in ICE custody; Reene Good and Alex Pretti were shot by ICE agents in Minneapolis, Minn., while trying to protect fellow Americans.
People across America have seen the disgusting way that the Trump administration has been not only dealing with ICE, but also dealing with a multitude of different issues. These nationwide protests are a result of young Americans desiring to see a change in the way the country they love is run. Seeing high school students across the country stand up against the issues facing immigrants is truly inspiring.
How LAHS students protested
Students voiced their opinions in many different ways during the protest, such as holding signs with inspiring messages, shouting powerful chants and giving heartfelt speeches. Many speeches given at the Los Alamitos City Hall were filled with sadness and anger about the current state of America. As students lined up on Katella Avenue, the chanting continued, with many cars honking and pedestrians cheering in solidarity.
The LAHS student body came together under grim circumstances, but the students who took part in the walkout created a message of hope. The LAHS walkout represents a promising future for America and sends a message to young Americans to move forward and continue to fight for what they believe in.
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Emily Hogenboom • Feb 17, 2026 at 9:17 am
As a parent of a student who marched I appreciate seeing the photos of the group. Thank you for providing a firsthand account of the event.
Earick Ward • Feb 13, 2026 at 8:24 pm
ICE is lawfully fulfilling Federal Law. There is an amendment process to change that law that Democrats never want to discuss.
Do you know why? Because the majority the American people support the deportation of those that came to our country ILLEGALLY.
There is a distinction (in law) between IMMIGRANTS (which we all are) and “illegal immigrants.”
Illegal immigrants suppress wages and drive up the cost of housing (supply and demand). You will all hopefully graduate and won’t be able to afford to rent a decent apartment, let alone buy a home.
ICE is “primarily” targeting violent criminal aliens – murderers, rapists, sex and drug traffickers, etc. Sanctuary cities RELEASE these criminals back onto the streets rather than turning them over to ICE. ICE then needs to go into hostile areas to remove these criminals. Young girls (and boys) have been raped and murdered.
Mylan Mauge • Feb 13, 2026 at 1:03 pm
Whoever wrote this article is an amazing journalist, and I would really love to see them represented more. I feel like this article covered the situation best.