The death of Alex Pretti, Renee Nicole Good and the deaths of 32 others in 2025 and the detention of a 5-year-old boy, has drawn increased attention to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its operations. The incidents have prompted responses from people across the country and in the Kansas City area – including residents, students and local officials across the area.
As national conversations continued, students in the Kansas City-area and around the country began organizing. Students said they felt directly affected by the issue and wanted to make their voices heard. Social media became a key tool for sharing information, coordinating plans, and encouraging participation among students across the district.
“I have to thank the NKC page because they started a walkout at their school,” staleywalkout page admin and protest organizer senior Karina Pedroza said. “And so I was inspired to start my own walkout account.”
On Jan. 20 at 2 p.m., an estimated 200-300 Staley High School students participated in the nationwide “Free America” walkout publicized by the staleywalkout Instagram page. Students walked from the student entrance to the football field, some with signs while others gave speeches with a megaphone.
“I don’t think ICE is the answer,” Pedroza said. “People need to have accessibility to become citizens. People shouldn’t be deported for trying to find a better life. That’s not the values that America was founded on.”
Local news outlets, including KCTV5, covered the walkout as part of broader protests against immigration policies. The report highlighted student voices such as Harper Beffa, who said the policies could affect their futures, and included statements from the school principal emphasizing that the walkout was student-organized and that safety remained a priority.
“A lot of people showed up, from all different demographics, and I was really proud of how many people came together for that,” senior staleywalkout coorganizer Charlotte Heckman said.
As reports spread online, local officials began addressing the claims to prevent misinformation and calm community concerns. Law enforcement agencies emphasized the importance of verifying information before sharing it publicly, especially as rumors continued to circulate on social media.
“I encourage everyone to pause before sharing unconfirmed claims and to rely on verified information from trusted sources,” Akins wrote in the post.
Overall, reactions to the national ICE enforcement have been strong throughout the Kansas City area. While some people believe ICE is important for law enforcement, others want changes to be made. The actions of ICE agents have started conversations about safety, immigration and how federal agencies affect communities.
(This story and gallery, originally posted Jan. 20, has been updated with new information and video throughout the week.)
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