In Los Angeles, at least, there are pockets of safety for undocumented folks who seek sanctuary. Shortly after the presidential inauguration that put Donald Trump in office — raising fears of an immigration crackdown — the Los Angeles Unified School District board voted to implement a series of policies that would make it more difficult for federal groups, like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, from conducting raids on school campuses.
Now, following the presidential administration’s announcement that it plans to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program — an Obama-era policy that loosened immigration restrictions for undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. under a certain age — at least one Los Angeles Unified School District teacher is making sure his students know they are safe in his classroom.
Social studies teacher David Wiltz facilitated a conversation in his class at Thomas Jefferson High School in South Central Los Angeles where he promised his students he would not give out their information to ICE or other federal immigration officials.
“No one is ever going to give up your personal information. No one will ever say whether you’re undocumented,” he told his classroom of juniors. “I will go to jail before I give up your guys’ information.”
Students in his class expressed concerns that their family members or friends would be deported under the new revised law.
In other L.A. schools, students arrived to class to find signs that read “Immigrants Are Welcome Here” and “Immigrants Have the Right to Stay.”
Los Angeles County and Orange County are home to more than an estimated 1 million undocumented immigrants — only second to New York, which is home to 1.2 million. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra — among others in the country — announced that he was prepared to sue the administration over its DACA phaseout.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.