Students Demand 2-Mile ICE-Free Zones in Santa Maria Walkout

SANTA MARIA, Calif. — Students from multiple Santa Maria schools walked out of class Tuesday and marched to City Hall, urging the city to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from operating near schools, churches, hospitals, and parks.

Organizers seek a two-mile buffer zone around these locations.

"Immigration officers would not be permitted to investigate, arrest, or conduct duties within this radius," said organizer Cesar Vasquez, 17, of Nipomo.

"A lot of us use this as an excuse to skip school. Make this meaningful," Vasquez told the crowd before the City Council meeting.

He emphasized unity over division. "Politics have overrun our communities. Being politically involved matters, but being human matters more."

Santa Maria High School senior Ariceli Mendoza, 17, also spoke.

"When we unite, we're powerful and can create change," she said. "The day I heard ICE was here, my heart sank. No one should feel that."

The walkout followed nationwide Presidents Day demonstrations and continued into the evening, with students rallying outside Santa Maria City Hall until after dark.

Students from Righetti, Pioneer Valley, Santa Maria, Fesler Junior High and El Camino Junior High participated in Jóvenes, Nuestra Existencia Es Una Resistencia (Youth, Our Existence Is a Resistance).

Participants voiced opposition to immigration enforcement actions impacting their communities and urged city leaders to listen.

"Listen to us, listen to our younger generation for what we strive towards, and help us feel safe," one student said.

A member of the Future Farmers of America, in town for the city's recognition of FFA Week, stayed to support the rally.

Pew Research reports that 59% of U.S. adults support increased efforts to deport people, a statistic reflecting the national divide on immigration enforcement.

Students faced little resistance during the protest, though one veteran suggested they carry U.S. flags as well. A newcomer to Santa Maria praised the students, calling them "articulate and speaking from the heart."

In a statement, the City of Santa Maria acknowledged concerns over immigration enforcement and emphasized its commitment to public safety and trust between city employees and residents, regardless of immigration status. Officials clarified that local police do not enforce federal immigration laws or participate in ICE operations, adhering to state laws that limit their role in immigration matters.

"Neither the city, county, nor state can restrict federal agents, including ICE, from operating within their jurisdiction," the city said in the statement. "City Council lacks authority to establish restricted zones for federal agents. This issue falls under state and federal jurisdiction."

The city reassured residents that immigration status would not impact access to police services.

Currently, the City of Santa Maria is not officially designated as a sanctuary city.

Several cities around the country have attempted to implement ICE buffer zones. San Francisco, which is a designated sanctuary city, has prohibited city agencies from cooperating with ICE, though federal enforcement actions still occur. Los Angeles has sanctuary policies limiting local law enforcement cooperation with ICE, but it cannot legally prohibit federal agents from operating in designated areas.

Even if the city cannot legally create an ICE buffer zone, students say they will continue to make their voices heard.