"This economy is based on immigrants," said Garfield High School student William Pasillas, 14, who left campus Friday morning to participate in a rally. Pasillas said his parents came from Mexico in the 1970s and now are naturalized citizens. "Why shouldn't other people get that opportunity?"
Other students were protesting what they said was the racism that many immigrants face.
"I'm here to make sure that the Mexicans get their freedom, their rights," said Montebello High School student Jeannette Garcia, 15, who held up a sign that said "Freedom."
Los Angeles school officials said activists and community groups e-mailed students, urging them to walk out. Several students said they received fliers and heard about the demonstrations from friends.
"We have always condoned freedom of expression on our campuses," said Isaacs, the L.A. Unified official. "We do not condone students leaving campus."
A protest march in downtown Los Angeles is planned for today as part of a "Weekend of Action" against the Sensenbrenner bill and related legislation. A similar demonstration in Phoenix on Friday drew more than 15,000 protesters.
Immigrant rights groups said they were demanding more tolerant and humane laws that would give undocumented workers a chance at becoming citizens.
"We want to send a message to Congress that enough is enough, that we need real reform that gives folks here a path to legal residency and citizenship," said Alvaro Huerta, spokesman for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. "We don't want this second-class status."
