Evanston High School Students Protest ICE Raids

Demonstration held despite recent federal immigration operation ending

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:50pm

A cinematic painting of a group of high school students marching down a city street, their faces partially obscured by shadows and warm, diagonal sunlight, capturing the pensive mood of their protest against immigration enforcement.Beacon Academy students march through downtown Evanston to voice ongoing concerns over federal immigration raids, even after the conclusion of a major ICE operation.Evanston Today

More than 50 students from Beacon Academy, a private high school in Evanston, Illinois, participated in a school-sanctioned protest on Wednesday afternoon to express their anger and frustration over recent federal immigration raids in the Evanston and Chicago areas. The student organizers, 11th grader Sophie Carruthers and 12th grader Adrian Villalobos, led the group on a downtown loop, chanting "ICE has got to go."

Why it matters

The protest highlights ongoing concerns about immigration enforcement actions in the local community, even after a specific federal operation known as "Operation Midway Blitz" has concluded. The students, some of whom have Hispanic backgrounds, want to raise awareness and take a stand against the targeting of immigrants, particularly those from Latin America.

The details

The student-led protest was organized and sanctioned by Beacon Academy. Carruthers and Villalobos led the group of over 50 students on a downtown loop, carrying signs and chanting against the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the area. While the recent "Operation Midway Blitz" federal immigration raids have ended, the students feel the issue remains important and want to make an impression on their peers to continue advocating on this issue.

  • The protest took place on Wednesday afternoon, April 15, 2026.
  • "Operation Midway Blitz", the recent federal immigration raids in Evanston and Chicago, had just concluded prior to the student protest.

The players

Sophie Carruthers

An 11th grade student at Beacon Academy who helped organize the protest against ICE.

Adrian Villalobos

A 12th grade student at Beacon Academy who helped organize the protest against ICE.

Beacon Academy

A private high school in Evanston, Illinois where the student protest took place.

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What they’re saying

“Even though ICE's 'Operation Midway Blitz' is finished, 'we still need to protest' because immigration agents are still in other places looking for people to pick up, including at airports.”

— Sophie Carruthers, 11th grade student

“As a senior, I want to 'leave an impression' for other students that it's important to take a stand.”

— Adrian Villalobos, 12th grade student

What’s next

The students plan to continue advocating on immigration issues and raising awareness among their peers, even though the recent federal immigration raids have concluded.

The takeaway

This student-led protest demonstrates the ongoing concerns and activism around immigration enforcement actions in the local Evanston and Chicago communities, with young people taking a stand to voice their opposition and desire for change.