Hundreds of Palm Beach County students protest ICE in coordinated walkouts

School district threatens disciplinary action as students find loopholes to demonstrate

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Hundreds of students from at least four Palm Beach County high schools protested against ICE on Monday, taking to the streets in coordinated walkouts. The School District of Palm Beach County condemned the protests, stating they violate safety protocols and that students will face disciplinary action. However, some students found ways to demonstrate after school hours, and one teen protester was reportedly struck by a car and transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Why it matters

The student-led protests reflect growing activism among young people on immigration issues, even as school districts try to limit disruptive demonstrations during instructional time. The events highlight tensions between students' right to free speech and expression, and schools' concerns about campus safety and security.

The details

Students from Lake Worth Beach High School and John I. Leonard High School exited their campuses simultaneously around 1:00 p.m. and converged at Lake Worth Beach City Hall. The School District of Palm Beach County stated the walkouts violated safety protocols and that students would face disciplinary action. Some students found ways to protest after school, like an extra-curricular youth-led protest at Royal Palm Beach High School. One teen protester was reportedly struck by a car and transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

  • The student protests occurred on Monday, February 16, 2026 around 1:00 p.m.
  • In January 2026, the Florida Department of Education directed school districts to ensure student protests do not disrupt instructional time and to discipline staff who encourage such activities during school hours.

The players

School District of Palm Beach County

The school district that oversees the high schools where the student protests took place, and which condemned the walkouts as violations of safety protocols.

West Palm Beach Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the protests, including an incident where a student protester was reportedly struck by a car and transported to the hospital.

Florida Department of Education

The state education agency that in January 2026 directed school districts to ensure student protests do not disrupt instructional time and to discipline staff who encourage such activities during school hours.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The School District of Palm Beach County has stated it will pursue disciplinary action against students who participated in the unauthorized walkouts, though the specific consequences remain unclear. The injured student's condition and any potential charges against the driver are also still developing.

The takeaway

The student-led protests against ICE in Palm Beach County highlight the growing activism of young people on immigration issues, even as school districts try to limit disruptive demonstrations during instructional time. The events underscore the complex balance between students' free speech rights and schools' concerns about campus safety and security.