Student protesters shut down Arizona Senate with anti-ICE demonstration at Capitol

More than 100 Phoenix high school students marched to the state Capitol, prompting a lockdown of the Senate building.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:23pm

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A crowd of more than 100 Phoenix high school students walked out of their schools on Wednesday and headed to the Arizona Capitol, where they marched while holding anti-immigration enforcement signs and chanting anti-ICE slogans. The state Senate responded by locking the doors in response to the "massive loud protest."

Why it matters

The student protest highlights growing concerns among young people about the Trump administration's immigration policies and the treatment of undocumented immigrants, including the use of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to conduct deportations. The walkout and demonstration at the state Capitol reflect the activism of a new generation seeking to make their voices heard on these issues.

The details

The students from Carl Hayden, Betty Fairfax and Central high schools organized the protest themselves to stand up for their community in the face of President Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign and violence from immigration officers. The crowd of more than 100 students marched from their schools to the Arizona Capitol where they gathered, shouting 'Chinga la migra' (Spanish for 'f**k Immigration and Customs Enforcement') outside the Arizona Senate. The Senate building was locked down in response to the "massive loud protest."

  • The students walked out of their schools and headed to the Arizona Capitol on Wednesday.

The players

Julian Torres

A 17-year-old senior at Betty Fairfax High School who said he was marching to be "the voice for the people who can't speak for themselves."

Sophia Arvizu Diaz

A 16-year-old student at Central High School who said she and her friends were protesting on behalf of immigrants without legal status who are "scared they'll be picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers."

Liliana Ragsdale

An 11-year-old student at Solano Elementary School who said she was "really mad that they're taking my people when this is stolen land, Native land."

Michele Ragsdale

Liliana Ragsdale's mother, who said she was proud to see so many young people exercising their First Amendment rights.

Sen. Wendy Rogers

A Republican state senator from Flagstaff who said the Senate building had been locked down because of the "massive loud protest."

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What they’re saying

“I'm here today to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves to be the voice for the people who can't speak for themselves. I'm here to march with my peers, my friends, even some people that I don't like, because we all have the same goal.”

— Julian Torres, 17-year-old senior at Betty Fairfax High School

“A lot of them are from different countries or have family who aren't from here, and they're just scared to be sent back. America is supposed to be a safe place, but those detention centers are not safe places.”

— Sophia Arvizu Diaz, 16-year-old student at Central High School

“I'm Native and Mexican, and I'm really mad that they're taking my people when this is stolen land, Native land and stuff, because it's my culture and my people.”

— Liliana Ragsdale, 11-year-old student at Solano Elementary School

“For these young people to come together and march, to do a walkout at their school, means a lot, because it means that they're paying attention. It means that they care more than some adults that I know that aren't standing up and aren't even saying anything.”

— Michele Ragsdale, Liliana Ragsdale's mother

What’s next

The Arizona Senate is expected to review security protocols and consider measures to prevent future disruptions from student protests.

The takeaway

This protest by Phoenix high school students reflects the growing activism of young people who are deeply concerned about the Trump administration's immigration policies and the treatment of undocumented immigrants. Their willingness to walk out of school and demonstrate at the state Capitol shows their determination to make their voices heard on these important issues.