Jersey City Students Protest Against ICE in Sunday Rally

Youth-led 'ICE OUT Jersey City' protest calls for abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Dozens of Jersey City high school and college students joined organizers and elected officials on Sunday in an effort to make their voices heard in protest against the actions of federal ICE officers who they say are terrorizing neighborhoods and creating a reign of terror in Hudson County and beyond.

Why it matters

The protest highlights growing concerns in the Jersey City community about the impact of ICE raids and arrests on immigrant families, with fears that the actions are splitting up families, keeping children from attending school, and eroding trust between law enforcement and immigrant residents.

The details

The youth-led 'ICE OUT Jersey City' protest called for the abolition of ICE. Speakers reflected on what they believe to be the mistreatment of area residents by ICE officers, who they say lack adequate law enforcement training. Marchers carried signs calling for an end to the ICE program, and several local elected officials spoke at the rally, warning that the ICE actions represent 'the rise of fascism'.

  • The protest took place on Sunday, March 2, 2026.

The players

Janhitha Veeramachaneni

The chair of the Jersey City High School and College Democrats, who spoke about how recent ICE arrests have made people, particularly children, afraid to leave their homes.

Alison Garcia

A marcher who said her mother was detained and deported, unable to prove her innocence of charges.

Tom Zuppa

The Ward C Councilman, who warned that it's only a matter of time before 'they come for the rest of us'.

Raj Mukherji

A state senator who has become an active speaker against the recent ICE actions, saying the lack of training for ICE agents put the community at risk.

James Solomon

The Jersey City Mayor, who previously signed an Executive Order to strengthen the city's immigrant protections.

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What they’re saying

“My mom will not be here for graduation, for my prom, to help me to move into college where I need her.”

— Alison Garcia (tapinto.net)

“That is not the America that any of us deserve.”

— Raj Mukherji, State Senator (tapinto.net)

“The ICE actions represent 'the rise of fascism'.”

— Eleana Little, Ward E Councilwoman (tapinto.net)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This protest highlights the growing concerns in the Jersey City community about the impact of aggressive ICE enforcement on immigrant families, with fears that the actions are eroding trust between law enforcement and residents and representing a rise of authoritarian tactics that go against American values.