Lila Dominguez's hands were shaking uncontrollably as she watched the chaos unfold outside her Minneapolis high school. On January 7th, immigration enforcement agents had descended upon Roosevelt High School, just days after an ICE agent shot Renee Good. The junior journalist was glued to her phone, watching videos of the incident from a safe distance in the basement.
As a student and an avid writer for the school's digital newspaper, Lila felt an overwhelming urge to document the events unfolding outside her window. She knew that her article would be more than just a report on the incident – it would be a call to action, urging ICE agents to leave Minneapolis and its communities alone.
But on this particular day, Lila's anxiety was palpable. The school had locked down to protect students and staff inside, while agents used chemical irritants outside, detaining a staffer. As she watched the chaos unfold, Lila felt her hands shaking uncontrollably. She paced back and forth in the basement, unsure of what to do or how to process the events unfolding before her.
The headlines of her article soon went viral, sparking widespread debate and outrage across the city. "ICE Needs To Get Out Of Minneapolis" was a rallying cry that resonated with many students, families, and community members who felt threatened by the growing presence of ICE agents in their neighborhoods.
But for Lila and many others at Roosevelt High School, the impact of ICE's enforcement went far beyond the headlines. The school had become a microcosm of fear and anxiety, with attendance plummeting and students struggling to focus on their studies. Some classes were missing entire days due to the trauma and stress caused by the agents' presence.
As Lila navigated her own emotions, she couldn't help but wonder how the school's leaders and staff were coping with the crisis. Despite the chaos and uncertainty, they had come together to support students, families, and staff affected by ICE's enforcement.
But for Lila, it was clear that something needed to change. As a student, a writer, and a member of this community, she felt a deep sense of responsibility to speak out against the injustices perpetrated by ICE agents. And as she looked around at her classmates, many of whom were struggling to cope with their own fears and anxieties, Lila knew that she had a message to share – one that would echo through the halls of Roosevelt High School for weeks to come.
"I'm just so scared," she said, her voice trembling. "But I'm also angry. And I want ICE to know that we're not going to be silenced. We're not going to be intimidated."
As a student and an avid writer for the school's digital newspaper, Lila felt an overwhelming urge to document the events unfolding outside her window. She knew that her article would be more than just a report on the incident – it would be a call to action, urging ICE agents to leave Minneapolis and its communities alone.
But on this particular day, Lila's anxiety was palpable. The school had locked down to protect students and staff inside, while agents used chemical irritants outside, detaining a staffer. As she watched the chaos unfold, Lila felt her hands shaking uncontrollably. She paced back and forth in the basement, unsure of what to do or how to process the events unfolding before her.
The headlines of her article soon went viral, sparking widespread debate and outrage across the city. "ICE Needs To Get Out Of Minneapolis" was a rallying cry that resonated with many students, families, and community members who felt threatened by the growing presence of ICE agents in their neighborhoods.
But for Lila and many others at Roosevelt High School, the impact of ICE's enforcement went far beyond the headlines. The school had become a microcosm of fear and anxiety, with attendance plummeting and students struggling to focus on their studies. Some classes were missing entire days due to the trauma and stress caused by the agents' presence.
As Lila navigated her own emotions, she couldn't help but wonder how the school's leaders and staff were coping with the crisis. Despite the chaos and uncertainty, they had come together to support students, families, and staff affected by ICE's enforcement.
But for Lila, it was clear that something needed to change. As a student, a writer, and a member of this community, she felt a deep sense of responsibility to speak out against the injustices perpetrated by ICE agents. And as she looked around at her classmates, many of whom were struggling to cope with their own fears and anxieties, Lila knew that she had a message to share – one that would echo through the halls of Roosevelt High School for weeks to come.
"I'm just so scared," she said, her voice trembling. "But I'm also angry. And I want ICE to know that we're not going to be silenced. We're not going to be intimidated."
. They're creating a toxic atmosphere in schools and it's taking a toll on students' mental health. As a student journalist, Lila spoke truth to power but I feel bad for her and other students who have had enough. Attendance is plummeting and some classes are missing days altogether... how can they focus on their studies when they're so scared all the time? 
The school leaders should be supporting these kids more than just locking them in tight 
. Lila's article may have sparked outrage but I wish it didn't take this long to get people talking about the real issue at hand 
this is really heartbreaking what's happening at Roosevelt High School Lila's article went viral and it's clear why - the impact of ICE agents on students & staff can't be ignored. I'm glad she's finding her voice, but honestly it feels like a lot of people are just trying to survive... how are we supposed to focus on our studies with all this fear & uncertainty hanging over us?
. Lila's story is super inspiring, though - she's not just writing about the issue, she's actually doing something about it 
.
. It's like they're saying, "We may be scared, but we won't let this break us." That's some powerful stuff right there 
. I just hope that Lila's article can help bring about some change and make the school feel safer again 
.
. It's time for us to start talking about this stuff and finding ways to address it 
. Something needs to be done, and I hope Lila's story is the spark that sets it off 
.
The whole thing just feels so messed up.
. The fact that attendance has plummeted and students are struggling to focus is just heartbreaking.
. They're trying to support everyone, but it's clear they don't know how to deal with this situation either 
. I mean, Lila's article was viral for a reason, but that doesn't mean the issue just goes away 
.
. It's like, we're trying to learn and grow in school, not be treated like we're some kind of threat 
my neighbor is actually a counselor at the high school and she told me her niece went thru hell after seeing what happened to that other girl Renee Good 
. it's not like ice can just magically disappear, but we can try to make our voices heard and demand some accountability 
.
). she's giving us all an example of what it means to stand up for what's right, even when it's hard. that takes a lot of courage 
.
like attendance plummets and students are struggling to focus...i feel bad for her and everyone else who has to deal with this constant fear 
but lila's still got so much anger and frustration towards ice 
like she needs to speak out and express herself, i get it 
but can't she also try to find ways to cope with her anxiety too? maybe some mindfulness exercises or therapy 
idk, just feeling a bit frustrated that lila's emotions are all over the place 
the fact that her school is affected by ICE agents is just devastating 
I think we should all try to be more understanding and empathetic towards each other especially when it comes to things like immigration and law enforcement 
.
her article is like a breath of fresh air, you know?
. 
. And I feel bad for the teachers and staff who have to deal with this on top of everything else 
. However, it's essential to acknowledge that this issue goes beyond just one school or community. We need systemic change that addresses the root causes of immigration enforcement and prioritizes the well-being of all students, regardless of their immigration status 
. The presence of ICE agents undermines this fundamental principle and perpetuates a culture of fear and mistrust among students and families. It's time for us to come together and demand change that puts the needs of our most vulnerable students first 
.
The teachers and staff are literally trying to cope with the trauma while also being like "ok kids just go back to class"...easy for them to say. And whats with the chemical irritants? Who thought thats was a good idea? 
. I feel for the kids who are struggling to focus on their studies with all this drama going down outside 
. As a student journalist, Lila has a platform and she's using it to speak out against injustice 
. Maybe there are better ways to deport folks than through chemical irritants and school lockdowns? 
. The hashtag #ICEOutOfMinneapolis is trending worldwide right now, and I couldn't be prouder of Lila's courage in speaking out against injustice