Students at 3 Rockland schools walk out to protest ICE

Live updates on the student walkouts in response to immigration enforcement actions

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Students at three high schools in Rockland County, New York - Ramapo, Spring Valley, and Nyack - staged walkouts on Wednesday to protest the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in their communities. The diverse school district has a large Latino and English language learner population, and school officials have expressed concerns that students are afraid to attend school due to ICE crackdowns.

Why it matters

The student walkouts highlight the ongoing tensions and fears within immigrant communities regarding increased immigration enforcement actions. The protests also reflect the broader political debates around immigration policy and the role of federal agencies like ICE in local communities.

The details

Around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, students at Ramapo and Spring Valley High Schools as well as Nyack High School walked out of class to protest the presence of ICE agents in Rockland County. The East Ramapo school district, which oversees the three high schools, has a student population that is 78% Latino or Hispanic, with 60% considered English language learners. School board members have discussed concerns that students are afraid to attend school due to fears around ICE crackdowns.

  • The student walkouts occurred around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

East Ramapo school district

The public school district that oversees Ramapo, Spring Valley, and Nyack High Schools, with a student population that is 78% Latino or Hispanic and 60% English language learners.

Ana Reluzco

The interim superintendent of the East Ramapo school district, who sent a letter to the school community explaining that the student walkouts were unsanctioned and that any absences would be counted.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement actions, whose presence in the Rockland County community has sparked fears and concerns among students and families.

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What they’re saying

“Our primary concern is the safety and supervision of all students. If a student leaves the Spring Valley or Ramapo high school campuses during the school day, the District and the school cannot be responsible for their safety once they are off campus.”

— Ana Reluzco, Interim Superintendent, East Ramapo school district (ithacajournal.com)

What’s next

School officials have indicated they will continue to monitor the situation and work to address the concerns of students and families regarding immigration enforcement actions in the community.

The takeaway

The student walkouts in Rockland County highlight the ongoing tensions and fears within immigrant communities regarding increased immigration enforcement, and the broader political debates around the role of federal agencies like ICE in local communities.