On Friday, February 1, 2025, significant protests erupted across various campuses as students united to voice their opposition to aggressive immigration policies and the fear they instill among immigrant families. With strong emotions and resilient spirits, they marched against organizations and actions perceived as harmful to their communities.
At Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe, Arizona, hundreds of students gathered to counteract the efforts of College Republicans United, who had set up a table on campus with the intent to encourage fellow students to report peers suspected of being undocumented immigrants. This student group, identified primarily as supporters of stricter immigration enforcement, aimed to bring attention to what they termed "criminal illegal immigration." But their presence met with fierce resistance.
More than 500 ASU students united for the cause, chanting and displaying signs supporting “Dreamers” and calling for the protection of all students on campus. Grace Atkinson, an ASU senior, remarked, “It’s empowering to know more people stand with love versus hate.” Fellow student Andrew Montenegro added, “It shows we truly stand with people in our community. People are on our campus and we are not going to let people like this come and bully us around.”
The protest was prompted by social media posts from College Republicans United, who stated their members would be at ASU to advocate for the reporting of undocumented students to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Onlookers described the scene as thousands of students encircled the small table manned by members of the group, making it clear they were not welcome. Diana, one of the protesting students, shared her motivation, saying, “I’m here because I’m the proud child of an immigrant, and I believe we need to stop these inhumane raids by ICE. They should not be allowed to go away with this without warrants.”
While College Republicans United defended their stance, members quickly found themselves surrounded by opposition. Among their ranks, one member of the organization argued, “It's insulting when other people come here, they're provided welfare checks and pathways to citizenship, and they don't have anything compared to the pioneers who came with nothing to this land.” Their remarks underscored the deep national divide on the immigration issue.
Meanwhile, the situation unfolded differently for students protesting immigration policies at schools across North Texas. Approximately 40 students from Irving High School took to the streets, marching from their school to Irving City Hall waving flags of Mexico and Honduras. These students sought to draw attention to their fears related to the current political climate and immigration enforcement under President Trump.
Fifteen-year-old Ivy, one of the young leaders of the protest, described the anxiety festering within her community: “This is actually how we’re living right now—we’re living in fear. I’m grappling with nightmares and anxiety.” With many students feeling personal safety and family stability threatened, the march to City Hall was both symbolic and urgent for these minors.
Reports from local officials indicated tensions were palpable across schools, with many students expressing concerns over the reality of potential family separations. A stark reminder came as ICE conducted immigration raids throughout several cities, resulting in at least 84 arrests over the previous weekend. This crackdown followed the rollback of policies aimed at protecting safe zones for families, particularly near schools and hospitals.
The emotional atmosphere of the protests spoke to the everyday struggles these students faced as news of ICE operations circulated. Christopher, another Arlington student, highlighted this fear when he emphasized, “Everyone is scared. They don’t want to leave home. They’re afraid even to go to the grocery store.” The protests led to chants like “School is for education, not deportation” echoing through the local neighborhoods.
School administrators provided strict warnings against students leaving campus without permission, reminding them of the disciplinary actions they could face. Despite the pressures, many students felt empowered to speak out against what they viewed as unjust treatment of their families and communities.
Principal Juan Villarreal at Sam Houston High School noted, “Emotions are a little high. Our job as educators is to treat all students with dignity and respect.” This comment encapsulated the broader responsibility schools have to protect their students within such turbulent societal changes.
Education officials also communicated with families via letters, urging them to safeguard their children’s safety as protests unfolded, acknowledging the significant distress among students fearing for their loved ones. Many students described feeling isolated within their schools, as friends disappeared daily, leaving them confined to classrooms rife with anxiety.
Across North Texas, students are showing resilience and solidarity, marching not just for their immediate fears, but for all those who feel lost amid the national debate on immigration. The protests at ASU and across Dallas reflect the collective voices of youth who are determined to stand for justice, love, and community support.
The protests reveal significant cultural shifts as younger generations increasingly use their platforms to speak out against injustices they see impacting their peers and families. Whether faced with reports of policy shifts, increasing surveillance, or the threats of deportation, students are united and relentless as they demand compassion and reform.
These actions serve as poignant reminders of the need for safe spaces—both within schools and communities—where every student can learn without fear. Through their passionate outcry, these young advocates are shaping the dialogue around immigration, emphasizing the importance of humanity even amid legal arguments.