Students of Rialto High School and surrounding Southern California schools walkout and protest

By Richard Senteno

Student showing off a sign for the protest. Photo taken by senior Santiago Vega.

On February 6, 2026, students from Rialto High School and surrounding schools in Southern California organized and participated in a coordinated protest and walkout against ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) policies and actions. 

Ricardo Carlos, RUSD Multi-Media Marketing Manager, sent out a notification to parents regarding the student walkout and where it was taking place. It stated, “The District does not condone students leaving campus in the middle of instructional time. We would appreciate your support in communicating with your child about leaving campus without authorization,” but also made clear, “District officials and School Safety are doing their best to monitor students during this walkout.”

The students of Rialto High School left at approximately 11:53 and walked down towards Rialto Park, then protested along Riverside and San Bernardino Avenue. Students gathered at street corners, holding handmade signs and chanting to voice their concerns and criticism of ICE-related enforcement actions.

According to the Attendance Specialist at Rialto High School, Vanessa Carrillo, 790 students were reported absent from 4th to 6th period.

Andrew Senteno, a junior, stated, “It was pretty surreal. I wasn't expecting many people to walk out, but it didn't stop me from being the very first to do so.” 

Junior Russell Curiel Jr. also stated, “I regret not walking out with everyone else. I just didn't believe it would have been as big as it was. I do believe the cause of the walkout was right, and if I could go back, I would have joined.”

Casandra Rivas, an English teacher and Journalism club advisor at Rialto High School, says that students should stand up for what they believe in. She says, “If it's something they feel strongly about, they should support that cause in a respectful and positive manner. It's their constitutional right.”

The protest was reported to have lasted over an hour, with most students going home afterward. Walkouts have been ongoing in many parts of Southern California. 

The Los Angeles Unified School District had a bigger-scale walkout. It’s reported from the Los Angeles Times that around 3,000 students walked out that day, protesting against the unfair treatment of undocumented families and also the very existence of the ICE agency itself. 

Some colleges also organized walkouts, including UCLA, USC, and Cal State L.A.