Reports of ICE activity throughout the Bay Area triggered widespread protests in local high schools and prompted school districts to take precautionary measures to protect students and families.
At William C. Overfelt High School in East San Jose on Jan. 28, hundreds of students walked out in protest after Mayor Matt Mahan confirmed ICE activity in the city. The demonstration, one of the largest of its kind in the Bay Area, reflected mounting fears among students and families as the federal government expands deportations of undocumented immigrants.
“The message is very clear: that immigrant residents, regardless of documentation status, should have the right to continue their productive lives with their families and pursue opportunities that will allow them to pursue ‘life, liberty, and happiness,’” said Andrew Lieu, a senior at Overfelt and District 5 Youth Commissioner for the City of San Jose.
Lieu, along with other student leaders, co-authored a letter to Mahan and the San Jose City Council urging city officials to reaffirm San Jose’s sanctuary city status, strengthen legal resources for undocumented families, and protect Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives that support immigrant communities.
“The City isn’t providing expanded partnerships for strengthening legal aid for immigrant families to help them remain in the U.S. That’s what I’m advocating for,” Lieu said. The partnership he envisions would involve collaboration between the City of San Jose, nonprofit immigration legal aid organizations, and local school districts to offer direct support to undocumented residents.
While San Jose has officially reaffirmed its sanctuary status, meaning that local law enforcement and city agencies do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities in detaining or deporting undocumented individuals, Lieu noted that such declarations mean little without concrete policy action. As reports of ICE enforcement spread, schools have become a focal point of fear and uncertainty for undocumented students and their families.
ICE activity in the Bay Area has included both confirmed enforcement actions and unverified reports. On January 26, 2025, ICE conducted an operation in San Jose, where it was confirmed that at least one individual was detained. Additionally, there have been reports of increased ICE vehicle presence in neighborhoods with high immigrant populations. However, some claims of large-scale raids, particularly in Oakland, have been debunked by officials, contributing to confusion and heightened anxiety among residents.
Some parents, afraid of possible arrests, have kept their children home from school, contributing to attendance drops in multiple districts. In the Alum Rock Unified School District, attendance fell by 12% following ICE enforcement in San Jose.
Adam Clark, superintendent of the Mount Diablo Unified School District, said his district has taken proactive steps to reassure families and protect students.
“I sent a letter to all of our families to outline our district’s strict policies on student safety and privacy,” Clark said. “We want parents to know that ICE agents cannot access students or school data without a judicial warrant and that their children are safe on campus.”
To further ease tensions, Mount Diablo Unified has collaborated with local legal organizations to provide “Know Your Rights” forums and legal resources for immigrant families. Other Bay Area districts have implemented similar initiatives, reinforcing that public schools in California do not track students’ immigration status and that ICE agents must present a judicial warrant to enter school grounds.
“Our biggest fear is that parents of our students get picked up, and then our students don’t have anyone at home,” Clark said. “We’re advising families to come up with an emergency plan in case something happens to a guardian, including identifying a trusted adult who can pick up their child from school.”
Unverified reports of ICE raids have contributed to some families choosing to stay home or avoid public spaces altogether. In Oakland and Alameda County, claims of large-scale ICE operations circulated on social media but were later debunked by immigration officials.
Community organizations, including the California Immigrant Policy Center and the Dolores Street Community Services, have reported that misinformation about immigration enforcement has increased stress among undocumented families. According to interviews conducted by Berkeleyside, several day laborers expressed concerns about finding work due to fears of being targeted by ICE. Others said they were unsure of their legal rights or where to seek assistance if confronted by ICE agents.
Lieu described the emotional toll on students, with some forming new friendships in solidarity while others have seen relationships strained by differing opinions on immigration policy.
“With what I’ve observed and engaged with, I’ve seen students who haven’t known each other form friendships as a result of the protest,” Lieu said. “But I’ve also seen friendships break apart because of differing opinions on the issue—it’s sensitive and deeply personal.”
Students and youth leaders continue to push for local action, calling on San Jose officials to provide legal assistance and resources for immigrant families beyond the city’s reaffirmation of its sanctuary status. Lieu and other advocates argue that public statements must be followed by tangible policies that support undocumented residents.
“We’ve started the conversation around stronger protections for immigrant families in San Jose,” Lieu said. “Now, we need our government officials to take the next step and work with us to craft thoughtful legislation that protects and empowers immigrant families. We can’t do it alone.”
