Santa Clara County's sanctuary jurisdiction status is failing its families, with students from nine high schools and one university walking out in 2026 due to a climate of fear. While ICE cannot raid campuses directly, its presence on perimeters like Snell Avenue exacerbates the issue. This comes after a family member was taken away by ICE agents at Elmwood Correctional Facility. The author praises the Mercury News for its commitment to developing young writers and highlighting the country's debt crisis. She also expresses concerns about the potential deployment of American troops in Iran to remove Iran's economic chokehold.