Hundreds Gather in Mass Protest Against Heightened ICE Presence in Detroit

March 4, 2025, was a day unlike any other for high school students in Southwest Detroit. As a student, I felt the tension begin in the morning with the many whispers about the planned immigration walkout. For a moment, I was scared of the possible consequences. However, as I debated whether to walk out, I reflected on the many events throughout high school that have fueled my passion for immigrant rights. I have been advocating for immigration reform as the co-chair of Youth in Action for Immigration since my freshman year, speaking to elected officials, facilitating “Know Your Rights” trainings, and planning awareness conferences. I knew deep down that I would never forgive myself for putting fear over my morals and decided to walk out despite the possible consequences. As I write this essay, I am serving in-school suspension for participating in the walkout, but I’m doing so proudly.

I’m serving this in-class suspension proudly because Black History Month just passed, and we spent days learning about different civil rights leaders who participated in non-violent civil disobedience. I also recalled, as a Catholic, the many stories of Jesus, most notably his efforts to stand for justice and uphold the human dignity of all. We are youth and we’re taught to stand up for what is right. This walkout was just one of the many ways we hoped to do this. 

Since the beginning of the year, Southwest Detroit students like myself have felt the toll of harsher immigration policies—not just in our neighborhoods and families, but also in our schools. It’s undeniable that many students now feel uneasy about what their future will look like. Some are unsure of whether or not their parents will still be home when they return from school, while others are worried about their own well-being.

The demonstration was one of many efforts to show the world that our youth are hurting and want to make a difference. As I stood in Clark Park, I saw a sea of posters, banners, and signs illustrating what this community was eager to say. Some read: “No human is illegal,” “We want justice,” and “Stop separating families,” showing that despite our differences, we are all united by our goal.

As we marched, I spoke to a few students from different schools. One of them, Yariley, explained that she was there because “this administration is trying to make our community feel hopeless, powerless, and fearful, but when you put yourself in their shoes, you’re fighting for people who can’t fight for themselves.” She further explained that protests like these return the power that is trying to be taken away from immigrants.

When Yariley started what motivated her to walk out of class and risk suspension, she said she was doing it for those who couldn’t. She explained that during the first Trump administration, her uncle was deported. “I came home, and my dad told me that they had taken him,” and ever since this, she has had a drive to advocate for immigration reform. 

Another student, Eric, said, ”Every time I get home, I see my brother scared; he doesn’t want to go outside or even go to the hospital to see my dad because he’s scared that he will be detained by ICE. I don’t understand why it has to be this way; I want to stand up for my brother even though he can’t.” Israel, his friend, added that just this Monday one of his neighbors was taken by ICE, motivating him to stand up for all the chaos that ICE has caused in his community. 

As time went on, different groups of speakers addressed the crowd. Their voices were filled with passion as they spoke about the many struggles and needs of the immigrant community. Some youth took the microphone and shared their own motivations, speaking of the love they have for their family and their heartbreak at seeing them struggle. Students spoke about the importance of being united with the community during this difficult time and finding strength in our Hispanic pride at a time when we’re being labeled as “criminals,” “aliens,” and “illegals.”. Others took a more logical approach, advocating for immigration reform, accessible paths to citizenship, and, most importantly, for families to stay together. With each chant, I could feel the courage and conviction growing within the crowd of students surrounding me.

During this time, I realized how powerful our voices could be. We were teenagers, students from different schools, and strangers until that moment. But we were united, collectively making a difference. We were marching to demand change, to let the world know that we will not endure injustice, and that we will always support what is right.

We may not have changed the world in that single march, but we organized as a collective group and made our voices heard. And that, I realize, was the first step in creating a larger movement for immigration reform.

As I returned to school the next day, I knew this experience would stay with me forever. Small actions like these might not look like much, but it’s these efforts to not be silent and passive that characterize the youth and members of Southwest Detroit. We have an innate sense of care for one another and holding on to this will drive us forward during these hard times. 

Kaylee Razo is a high school senior at Detroit Cristo Rey High School and a passionate advocate. She is the co-chair of Strangers No Longer’s Youth Council (Youth in Action for Immigration) and a mentor at the Michigan Youth Civil Rights Academy.