High School Students March Against ICE in Pompano Beach

Protest sparks mixed reactions from locals as students call for immigration reform and human rights

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Nearly 20 high school students in Pompano Beach, Florida held a protest march against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), walking through the city's commercial and beach districts with homemade signs calling to "Abolish ICE" and demanding "Life and Liberty for All." The student-led demonstration drew a range of reactions from locals, with some expressing support for the students' activism and others criticizing their stance on immigration enforcement.

Why it matters

The protest highlights growing concerns among younger generations about the policies and practices of federal immigration agencies like ICE, as well as a desire for more humane and just immigration reform. The march also reflects broader debates around immigration, border security, and the role of law enforcement that have intensified in recent years.

The details

Led by high school senior Jaiden Whalen, the group of 18 students gathered at Pompano Community Park before marching through the city's streets, chanting slogans and carrying signs with messages like "Melt ICE" and "Renee had a whistle, they had guns" - a reference to the police shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Good. The students said their goal was to "spread awareness" about what they view as unconstitutional actions by immigration authorities.

  • The protest took place on the afternoon of March 6, 2026.

The players

Jaiden Whalen

A high school senior and the organizer of the protest march against ICE in Pompano Beach.

Renee Good

A Minneapolis resident who was shot and killed by an ICE agent in January 2026.

Nicole Constantino

A bystander who was so moved by the student protesters that she joined the march and captured photos of the event.

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What they’re saying

“This is not a thing about politics. This is not Democrats versus Republicans. This is about humanity. They are unlawfully seizing and searching people. They are detaining U.S. citizens, and immigrants built this country.”

— Jaiden Whalen, High school senior and protest organizer (tapinto.net)

“It's good to see these kids actually caring about something bigger than a phone screen. People around here usually just want to get to the beach and forget the world, but these students are making sure we don't forget our neighbors.”

— Marcus Thorne, 62-year-old Pompano resident (tapinto.net)

“They're young and they mean well, but they don't understand how the law works. We have borders and agencies for a reason. You can't just abolish the people keeping the country secure because it makes for a good sign.”

— Robert Sterling, 62-year-old Pompano resident (tapinto.net)

What’s next

The students say they plan to continue organizing and raising awareness about immigration issues in their community.

The takeaway

This protest highlights the growing activism and civic engagement of young people who are passionate about social and political issues, even in suburban areas that may not typically see such demonstrations. The mixed reactions from locals reflect the broader national debates around immigration enforcement and the role of federal agencies like ICE.