Key Takeaways
• Students at Montgomery Blair High School will walk out on June 12, 2025, to protest a classmate’s deportation.
• ICE raids in Maryland on June 11 led to arrests and increased protests in Baltimore and surrounding areas.
• Students FAIR leads protests advocating for undocumented students’ rights and immigration policy reforms.
Students at Montgomery Blair High School Plan Walkout to Protest Classmate’s Deportation
On June 12, 2025, students at Montgomery Blair High School in Maryland will walk out of class after lunch, gathering at the school’s front entrance. Their goal is clear: to protest the deportation of a fellow student. This action is organized by Students FAIR (Students For Asylum and Immigration Reform), a student-run group that stands up for immigrant rights and supports classmates facing immigration challenges.
This protest is not happening in isolation. It comes at a time when immigration enforcement actions are increasing across the United States 🇺🇸, sparking concern and activism in many communities. The walkout at Montgomery Blair High School is the latest example of young people taking a stand, hoping to protect their friends and classmates from the threat of deportation.
Why Are Students Protesting Now?
The immediate reason for the walkout is the planned deportation of a Montgomery Blair High School student. According to the school’s branch of Students FAIR, this student is facing removal from the United States 🇺🇸, which has caused distress among classmates and teachers. The protest is scheduled for June 12, 2025, right after lunch, and is expected to draw a large number of students who want to show support.
This event follows a series of similar protests in Maryland. Just days earlier, on June 11, 2025, five people were arrested during ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids in the state. These raids have led to protests in Baltimore and other cities, where hundreds have gathered to support immigrant communities and speak out against what they see as harsh enforcement tactics.
Who Is Involved?
- Students FAIR: This group, active at Montgomery Blair High School, is leading the walkout. They advocate for the rights of undocumented students and push for changes in immigration policy.
- Community Members: Across Maryland, including Baltimore, people are joining protests to support immigrants and oppose ICE raids.
- Families and Friends: The deportation of students affects not just the individuals involved, but also their families, friends, and the wider school community.
Rachel Rush, a community member in Baltimore, shared her grief after a family friend was detained during recent ICE actions. Her words reflect the pain and fear many feel when loved ones are caught up in immigration enforcement.
What Is Deportation and How Does It Affect Students?
Deportation means being forced to leave the United States 🇺🇸 because of immigration status or legal issues. For students, this can be especially hard. Schools are often seen as safe places, but the threat of deportation can create fear and uncertainty. It can disrupt learning, separate families, and leave young people feeling alone.
When a student faces deportation, it can:
- Interrupt their education: Students may have to leave school suddenly, missing out on classes, exams, and graduation.
- Cause emotional distress: Fear of being separated from friends and family can lead to anxiety and sadness.
- Affect the whole school: Classmates and teachers may feel powerless or upset, knowing someone they care about is at risk.
The walkout at Montgomery Blair High School is meant to draw attention to these problems and call for policies that protect students from deportation.
How Does the Deportation Process Work?
For anyone facing deportation, the process usually follows these steps:
- Detention: ICE officers may take the person into custody.
- Hearing: The person appears before an immigration judge. The judge decides if the person can stay in the United States 🇺🇸 or must leave.
- Appeal: If the judge orders deportation, the person can appeal the decision. This means asking a higher court to review the case.
4. Deportation: If all appeals fail, the person is removed from the country.
The main law that controls this process is the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). You can read the full text of the INA on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
No recent policy changes have been made to protect students from deportation. This is one reason why groups like Students FAIR are pushing for reform.
Why Is This Happening Now?
The United States 🇺🇸 has seen a rise in immigration enforcement actions in recent years. ICE has stepped up raids and arrests, targeting people without legal status. This has led to protests in many cities, including Baltimore and now at Montgomery Blair High School.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these enforcement actions often lead to fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities. Many people worry about being separated from their families or losing their homes and jobs.
The protests are a response to these fears. Students, families, and community members want to show that they support their immigrant neighbors and classmates. They are calling for changes to the system, hoping to make it fairer and more humane.
What Is Students FAIR and What Do They Want?
Students FAIR is a student-run organization that works to protect the rights of undocumented students. At Montgomery Blair High School, they have taken the lead in organizing the June 12 walkout. Their main goals include:
- Raising awareness: Helping others understand the impact of deportation on students and families.
- Advocating for change: Pushing for laws and policies that protect undocumented students from being removed from the country.
- Supporting classmates: Providing emotional and practical support to students facing deportation.
By organizing the walkout, Students FAIR hopes to send a message to school leaders, lawmakers, and the wider community: students deserve to learn without fear of being taken away.
What Are the Broader Impacts of Deportation on Schools?
Deportation does not just affect the person who is removed. It can have a ripple effect throughout the school and community. Some of the broader impacts include:
- Disrupted learning: When students worry about deportation, it can be hard to focus on schoolwork.
- Lower attendance: Fear of ICE raids may keep students away from school.
- Mental health challenges: Anxiety, depression, and trauma can result from the threat or reality of deportation.
- Community division: Schools may become divided, with some students feeling unsafe or unwelcome.
Teachers and counselors often try to help, but they may not have the resources or training to deal with these complex issues.
What Do Experts Say About Immigration Reform?
Many experts agree that the current immigration system is complicated and often unfair, especially for young people. They say that comprehensive reform is needed to address the needs of undocumented students and their families.
Some of the changes experts suggest include:
- Pathways to legal status: Allowing undocumented students who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for many years to apply for legal status.
- Protection from deportation: Creating rules that prevent students from being removed while they are in school.
- Support services: Providing counseling and legal help to students and families facing deportation.
These changes would help students focus on their education and contribute to their communities without fear.
How Are Community Members Responding?
In Maryland, community members have been quick to show support for immigrants. In Baltimore, hundreds gathered to protest ICE raids and demand better treatment for undocumented people. Many carried signs, chanted slogans, and shared personal stories.
Rachel Rush, who lost a family friend to an ICE raid, spoke about the pain and fear these actions cause. Her story is just one of many that highlight the human cost of strict immigration enforcement.
Community organizations like CASA de Maryland and the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) offer support and resources to those affected. They provide legal help, counseling, and advocacy for immigrant rights.
What Are the Policy Challenges?
Policymakers face a tough job. They must balance the need to enforce immigration laws with the desire to treat people fairly and humanely. Some argue that strict enforcement is necessary to maintain order, while others believe it causes unnecessary harm.
The debate over immigration reform is ongoing. So far, there have been no new laws to protect students from deportation. This leaves many young people in a difficult position, unsure of their future.
What Can Students and Families Do If Facing Deportation?
If you or someone you know is facing deportation, there are steps you can take:
- Know your rights: Everyone has the right to remain silent and to ask for a lawyer.
- Seek legal help: Contact organizations like NILC or the ACLU for advice and support.
- Stay informed: Follow updates from trusted sources and community groups.
- Get support: Talk to school counselors, teachers, or community leaders who can help.
For more information on your rights and the deportation process, visit the official ICE website.
What Does the Future Hold?
The future of immigration policy in the United States 🇺🇸 is uncertain. Protests like the one at Montgomery Blair High School show that many people want change. They are calling for laws that protect students and keep families together.
Lawmakers continue to debate the best way forward. Some support stronger enforcement, while others push for more humane policies. The outcome will affect millions of people, including students, families, and entire communities.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- The walkout at Montgomery Blair High School is a response to the deportation of a student and part of a larger movement for immigrant rights.
- Students FAIR is leading the protest, calling for policies that protect undocumented students.
- Deportation can disrupt education, cause emotional distress, and divide communities.
- No new laws currently protect students from deportation, but advocacy groups are pushing for change.
- If facing deportation, seek legal help and support from trusted organizations.
For those interested in getting involved or learning more, reach out to groups like CASA de Maryland, NILC, or Students FAIR at your local school. Stay informed, support your classmates, and continue to speak up for fair and humane immigration policies.
The walkout at Montgomery Blair High School is a powerful reminder that students have a voice—and they are using it to stand up for their friends, their education, and their future.
Learn Today
Deportation → The forced removal of a person from the United States due to immigration status or legal issues.
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement responsible for enforcement of immigration laws and deportations.
Students FAIR → A student group advocating for asylum, immigrant rights, and protections for undocumented students.
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) → The primary US law governing immigration policies, deportation, and legal status.
Appeal → Requesting a higher court to review a deportation decision after an immigration judge’s ruling.
This Article in a Nutshell
Montgomery Blair High School students will walk out June 12, 2025, protesting a classmate’s deportation amid rising ICE actions. Led by Students FAIR, the protest highlights immigration fears disrupting education, demanding protection for undocumented students, and urging humane immigration reforms nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
