Residents and advocates split over student walkouts targeting ICE at APS public forum

About a dozen community members spoke during the Albuquerque Public Schools board public forum on Feb. 18, 2026, sharply divided over recent student walkouts protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Reverend Mario Rico told the board the protests are unsafe and disruptive, saying, "The student ice protests are concerning not only to me, but to the majority of the community in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico... Students of any age are not safe on the sidewalks of Albuquerque" and arguing truancy law and supervision responsibilities should keep minors in class (Reverend Mario Rico). His remarks characterized the protests as vulgar and dangerous and urged parental accountability.

Other speakers raised different concerns or framed the actions as civic participation. Loretta Trujillo, executive director of Transform Education New Mexico, said students "are practicing the very core values" and urged the board to support students exercising civic responsibility and critical thinking. Several parents and residents asked the board to weigh student safety and questioned whether teachers or other adults had encouraged off‑campus activity.

The exchange at the public forum included requests for more community engagement from attendees such as Janet Sayers, who suggested board members attend drop‑off and pickup times and school sporting events to connect with families, and appeals to district policy. Speakers raised legal references including the New Mexico Open Meetings Act and Tinker v. Des Moines when debating whether student speech meets the standard for disruption.

Board members thanked speakers and directed members of the public to student services for follow‑up questions; they did not take immediate policy action during the public forum. President Tomorito closed the public forum and moved on to board business.