In early February 2026, students at Davies High School in Fargo, North Dakota, walked out of their classrooms and marched along nearby sidewalks in protest of federal immigration enforcement actions, especially those carried out by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). About forty students participated in the demonstration after school. They chanted and listened to speeches from classmates who said they were concerned about how federal immigration officers are carrying out their duties. This includes reports of serious injuries and deaths linked to enforcement actions (Huebner & Isak Dinesen, 2026).
Nearby in Minneapolis, Minnesota, protests against ICE and related federal enforcement actions have been ongoing for weeks following several serious incidents involving federal agents. On Jan. 7, 37-year-old Renée Good, a U.S. citizen, was shot and killed by an ICE agent during a federal enforcement operation in Minneapolis (Zaru & Ghebremedhin, 2026). Later that month, on Jan. 24, 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot and killed by a federal agent in another Minneapolis incident (Santana, 2026). In Los Angeles, 43-year-old Keith Porter was shot and killed by an off-duty ICE agent on Dec. 31 (Queally et al., 2026). These deaths sparked protests and intensified calls from community activists for greater accountability and transparency around federal law enforcement operations. With ICE agents being seen all around the country, more protesters have been voicing their concerns.
These incidents have contributed to activists, community members, and some local officials calling for accountability and changes in how immigration enforcement is conducted (Washington’s Third District, 2026). Even after a federal announcement that most of the surge of agents in Minnesota would end and a smaller group would remain temporarily to coordinate with local law enforcement and continue investigations, protests have continued, and skepticism remains among many community members about whether these measures will address their concerns (Ki & Timar-Wilcox, 2026).
In Fargo, students organizing the February protest said the events in Minneapolis were a major reason they felt compelled to take action locally. Organizers notified school administrators ahead of time and emphasized that the demonstration was student-led and focused on awareness rather than disruption (Huebner & Isak Dinesen, 2026). Other community members witnessing the protests have also shown support.
Joanne, a community member, stated, “I think it’s a good thing that people are taking a stand. I am proud that they are voicing their opinions.” Seeing students in your community protest for a cause can create a more welcoming feeling amongst other community members. “Knowing that there are people of all ages out protesting about these recent events makes me feel like I am in the right community,” she said.
As investigations into ICE’s actions continue, protests remain active in multiple cities. The Fargo protest reflects how national immigration enforcement issues are resonating with younger generations. While federal reviews move forward, student organizers say their goal is to ensure the events unfolding beyond their city are not ignored and remain part of the broader public conversation.
Rachel Held is a Dakota Student General Reporter. She can be reached at rachel.s[email protected].
