City College students lead walkout to protest ICE

Students demand end to local law enforcement collaboration with ICE and removal of detention centers from communities

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Students at Baltimore City College High School led a walkout on Thursday to protest the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and show solidarity with activists in Minneapolis. The student-led group SOMOS organized the demonstration, calling for an end to 287(g) agreements between local law enforcement and ICE, as well as legislation to restrict teacher and administrator collaboration with ICE. They also demanded the removal of ICE detention centers from their communities.

Why it matters

The walkout highlights growing student activism against ICE's tactics, which many see as a continuation of historical oppressive practices like slave catching and the Ku Klux Klan. The students are drawing connections between ICE's actions and broader issues of systemic injustice, aiming to pressure lawmakers to limit ICE's presence and collaboration with local authorities.

The details

The walkout was organized by SOMOS, a student-led group at Baltimore City College High School that focuses on tackling systemic injustices. The demonstration included students from Baltimore City College as well as other area schools. They are calling on Maryland legislators to pass bills that would end 287(g) agreements between local law enforcement and ICE, as well as prohibit ICE agents from wearing face masks. The students also demand the removal of all ICE detention centers from their communities.

  • The walkout took place on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.

The players

SOMOS

A student-led group at Baltimore City College High School that focuses on tackling systemic injustices.

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What’s next

The Maryland Senate is expected to vote on SB0245, which would end 287(g) agreements between local law officials and ICE, in the coming weeks. The Maryland General Assembly is also considering SB0001/HB0155, which would prohibit ICE agents from wearing face masks.

The takeaway

The City College student walkout is part of a growing movement of young activists demanding an end to ICE's aggressive tactics and collaboration with local law enforcement. By drawing connections to historical oppression, the students are pushing lawmakers to take concrete steps to limit ICE's presence and impact on their communities.