Salem-Keizer students lead walkout, rally over immigrant rights at Oregon Capitol

Local students called on legislators, district officials to enhance protections for immigrant students and families.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Close to 2,000 middle and high school students across the Salem-Keizer School District walked out of their classrooms Friday to gather across from the Capitol, rallying for increased support for immigrant communities in Salem. The youth advocacy organization Latinos Unidos Siempre organized the rally after an inquiry from 16-year-old McKay High School student Arely Rodriguez, who called for Oregon's second-largest school district and the state Legislature to do more to protect immigrant communities from overreaching federal enforcement activity.

Why it matters

The issue hit close to home for many Salem-Keizer students, as about half the district's 38,000 students are Latino and many come from immigrant families. Some have personally experienced trauma from increased immigration enforcement. The rally was organized to call for the passage of several bills in the immigrant justice package that would offer increased guidance for schools and hospitals when addressing federal officers, guarantee additional data protections for immigrants, and restrict law enforcement from wearing masks.

The details

Students left school around 11:30 to arrive at the Capitol mall by 12:30. The rally included dancers and speakers, then a procession around the Capitol led by Rodriguez. In speeches, student leaders advocated for increased support for immigrants and their families, both at state and district levels. They also described how the fear of immigration enforcement is impacting them, including affecting academic performance. Students also called for their schools to stop using Yondr pouches, which they say causes more anxiety as they fear being unable to contact family members during the school day.

  • On Friday, close to 2,000 students walked out of their classrooms.
  • The rally took place at the Oregon Capitol on February 28, 2026.

The players

Latinos Unidos Siempre

A youth advocacy organization that organized the rally.

Arely Rodriguez

A 16-year-old McKay High School student who called for the school district and state legislature to do more to protect immigrant communities.

Salem-Keizer Public Schools

The second-largest school district in Oregon, with about half of its 38,000 students being Latino and many coming from immigrant families.

House Bill 4079

A bill that would require Oregon public schools and universities to notify students and parents of immigration enforcement actions on or near school campuses.

Gibelly Zumba-Lopez

A 14-year-old student from North Salem High School who participated in the rally.

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What they’re saying

“Every morning I leave my house with a lump in my throat. I don't know if my parents will be there when I get home from school. And I know I'm not the only person living with this constant fear.”

— Arely Rodriguez, 16-year-old McKay High School student (salemreporter.com)

“This is a historical thing that a lot of people need to be involved in. As a teenager, I want to speak out about it and I want people to know that there are people who also support them.”

— Gibelly Zumba-Lopez, 14-year-old North Salem High School student (salemreporter.com)

“This isn't really about politics anymore. It's starting to affect people.”

— Valerie Renteria, 12-year-old Waldo Middle School student (salemreporter.com)

What’s next

A Senate vote on House Bill 4079 is scheduled for Monday.

The takeaway

This rally highlights the deep impact that increased immigration enforcement is having on the lives of students in the Salem-Keizer school district, many of whom come from immigrant families. The students' demands for greater protections and support for their communities reflect the growing activism and advocacy of young people on issues that directly affect them and their families.