Students Across America Walk Out of School to Protest ICE Enforcement

A nationwide youth movement emerges as students in dozens of states march against immigration enforcement policies and ICE operations.

In early 2026, a growing wave of student-led protests swept across the United States as students walked out of classrooms to protest federal immigration enforcement — particularly actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These demonstrations have spanned cities and towns nationwide, uniting young people from diverse backgrounds in a shared message: they want humane immigration policy, protection for immigrant families, and an end to aggressive enforcement actions that they say tear communities apart. 

Why Students Are Walking Out

Nationwide, young people have voiced their concerns about:

Fear of family separation and deportations, particularly in immigrant communities.

High-profile violent incidents involving federal agents, including fatal shootings that ignited public outrage.

A belief that elected officials are failing to address issues they see as urgent, urgent enough to take to the streets.  

These motivations have driven students of all ages to leave class in coordinated walkouts or demonstrations, focusing attention on the human impact of immigration enforcement. 

States Where Walkouts Have Been Reported

Student protests have spread across the country, with walkouts documented in at least 20 states — from the Northeast to the Deep South, the Midwest to the Pacific Coast: 

West Coast

California: Students walked out in cities including Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, San Lorenzo, and the Coachella Valley, joining the national protest against ICE.  

Oregon: Walkouts in Portland and surrounding areas involved multiple high schools where students marched and chanted against federal immigration enforcement.  

Arizona: Students in southern Arizona participated in walkouts, citing risks to local Hispanic communities.  

Southwest & Mountain States

Texas: Thousands of students in Central and South Texas walked out — including major events in Austin and San Antonio — drawing attention from state education officials.  

Nevada: Walkouts were reported in Las Vegas and surrounding school districts.  

Utah: Students at several high schools in the Salt Lake City area staged protests in solidarity with national actions.  

Colorado: Students participated in protests in Fort Collins and Denver.  

Midwest

Illinois: Illinois students protested in multiple communities, including Chicago schools, Joliet, Crystal Lake, Oswego, and Urbana-Champaign.  

Michigan: Hundreds walked out across Southeast Michigan, including Canton and Pontiac, as part of the broader movement.  

Wisconsin: Walkouts occurred in Milwaukee and surrounding areas.  

Indiana: Central Indiana saw walkouts in Indianapolis and Pike County, among others.  

Kansas: Students in Lawrence and across Free State high schools protested immigration enforcement.  

Missouri: Walkouts were held by students in Kansas City and in other communities.  

South & Southeast

Florida: Walkouts were reported in Brevard County and Tallahassee.  

Georgia: Students walked out at more than 100 schools in protest of ICE enforcement.  

Maryland: Students in Baltimore and other districts staged walkouts, organized by local advocacy groups.  

Arkansas: Students in Little Rock and North Little Rock participated in walkouts.  

Louisiana: Students in Baton Rouge and other parishes held demonstrations in solidarity.  

Northeast & New England

Connecticut: Walkouts took place in several high schools across the state.  

New Hampshire: Students in cities including Portsmouth, Concord, and Manchester participated.  

Maine: Students walked out at multiple schools in protest.  

North Carolina: Earlier protests have occurred in Wake County and elsewhere in response to immigration raids.  

How Illinois Fits Into the National Movement

In Illinois, participation has been broad and visible:

Students in Chicago and surrounding suburbs organized coordinated walkouts, calling for dignity, respect, and humane immigration policies.  

Walkouts also occurred at schools in Crystal Lake, Oswego, and Urbana-Champaign, where students marched in solidarity with immigrant families and the national movement.  

These actions reflect Illinois students’ engagement with issues impacting their communities and families, echoing the concerns seen across the country.  

What the Movement Means

The walkouts show a generation of students increasingly aware of social and political issues and willing to use their voices — and their schools — to demand change. While some administrators have expressed concern about safety and academic disruption, others have acknowledged students’ rights to peaceful protest. 

Overall, these walkouts are more than isolated events — they are part of a nationwide conversation about justice, community safety, and the future of immigration policy in the United States.