A Community Rises: Parkrose High Students Demand Freedom for Detained Teen

Imagine a regular Monday morning, the kind where lockers clang and hallway chatter fills the air. But at Parkrose High in Portland, this past Monday was anything but ordinary. Instead of heading to class, hundreds of students poured out of the building, not for a fire drill, but in a powerful, unified protest. Their message, echoing across the campus, was crystal clear: "Let Lizbeth Go!"

This isn't just any student walkout; it’s a raw, emotional response to a deeply unsettling event. The catalyst? The sudden detention of their beloved classmate, 17-year-old Lizbeth Mateo, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Lizbeth, a senior, described by friends and teachers alike as bright, engaged, and an integral part of the school community, found her life abruptly turned upside down during what was supposed to be a routine check-in with immigration officials.

For years, Lizbeth and her family, who arrived in the U.S. as children and have been navigating the complex immigration system, had dutifully attended these check-ins. It was a familiar, if nerve-wracking, ritual. But this time, something changed. Instead of being released, Lizbeth was detained. Just like that, a promising young woman with her whole future ahead of her – college applications, prom, graduation – was suddenly facing an uncertain fate, locked away in a detention center.

The news hit Parkrose High like a shockwave. Students quickly mobilized, fueled by a potent mix of fear, anger, and unwavering solidarity. They streamed out of classrooms, converging on the football field, a sea of young faces chanting, holding homemade signs proclaiming "Education Not Deportation!" and "She Is One Of Us!" The air buzzed with a palpable energy, a sense of collective purpose that transcended the usual school-day concerns.

What’s truly striking here is the school's response. Far from stifling the protest, many teachers and administrators supported the students, ensuring their safety while recognizing the profound importance of their voices. The principal even issued a statement, acknowledging the demonstration and upholding the students’ right to peaceful assembly. It was a powerful testament to a community understanding the weight of the moment.

But this story goes beyond Lizbeth. Her detention has cast a long shadow of fear over immigrant families throughout Portland and beyond. It’s a stark reminder of the precarious existence many undocumented youth face, despite having spent most of their lives here, contributing to their communities, and striving for a better future. Her case, tragically, isn’t isolated; it reflects a broader pattern of increased ICE enforcement actions that are tearing families apart and sowing deep mistrust.

As Lizbeth remains in detention, her family and legal team are fighting tirelessly for her release. Meanwhile, the students of Parkrose High have made it clear: they won't back down. Their walkout wasn't just a fleeting moment of protest; it was a rallying cry, a demand for justice, and a poignant reminder that when one of their own is threatened, this community will stand together, loud and unyielding.