University of Oregon students rallied at Johnson Hall on Feb. 16 demanding the school use its UO Alerts system to notify the campus community when ICE agents are present. The protest, part of a series culminating on International Workers' Day, drew hundreds of participants including students, faculty and community members who criticized the university's failure to protect immigrant students.

Student organizers from groups like MEChA and YDSA argued that while the university sends alerts about minor incidents like water gel beads being thrown at pedestrians, it has not warned students about ICE activity that creates fear and disrupts education. Isabel E, a UO student, told the crowd that immigrant students are exhausted but determined to fight for protection, while Xiomara Andrade called the current alert system "insulting" and said students are "looking over their shoulders instead of focusing on their future."

Beyond ICE alerts, students are pushing for a dedicated Latine Cultural Center to serve the university's large Hispanic and Latino population, which comprises 17% of undergraduates compared to 60% who are white. Current multicultural spaces are insufficient for collaboration between Latino-serving groups. Students like Toby Cole say while Latino student presence is strong, the university needs to provide more resources and mental health support specifically for this demographic.