Metro Atlanta Students Protest ICE Enforcement with School Walkouts

Gwinnett County students voice concerns about immigration crackdowns impacting families and classmates.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 6:55pm

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Students at Mill Creek High School and other schools in Gwinnett County, Georgia, staged walkouts on Thursday to protest immigration enforcement actions and their impact on families and classmates. The district said it supports student expression while prioritizing safety and learning, and that it does not collect or maintain information about students' immigration status.

Why it matters

The student walkouts reflect growing concerns among young people about the effects of aggressive immigration policies on their communities. As immigration enforcement ramps up, schools are navigating how to balance students' right to free expression with maintaining an orderly learning environment.

The details

Dozens of students at Mill Creek High School gathered along the sidewalk, chanting and holding signs, to voice their opposition to immigration enforcement. School leaders worked with the students to designate areas for protest and limit disruptions to instruction. The district said federal immigration officials are not allowed on school grounds without a valid warrant, and that it does not collect information about students' immigration status.

  • The walkout occurred on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

The players

Gwinnett County Public Schools

The school district that includes Mill Creek High School, which responded to the student walkout by supporting student expression while prioritizing safety and learning.

Kamilla Davis

A student at Mill Creek High School who participated in the walkout, saying that it's important to speak out against "cruel behaviors" and that everyone deserves rights in America.

Collin Barnes

A student at Mill Creek High School who participated in the walkout, citing concerns about immigration enforcement impacting his Hispanic relatives.

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What they’re saying

“I think that this is important, especially because if you don't say anything, then you let them get away with cruel behaviors, and it's not OK to hurt people. Everybody deserves a right in everything in America, and the fact that kids have to come out here and know what's right from wrong speaks something.”

— Kamilla Davis, Student, Mill Creek High School (CBS News Atlanta)

“I have Hispanic relatives that have been taken by ICE, and I just feel very strongly on the topic. It's just a shame.”

— Collin Barnes, Student, Mill Creek High School (CBS News Atlanta)

What’s next

The district said students at Mill Creek High School do not currently have another protest planned, but the issue of immigration enforcement and its impact on students and families is likely to continue being a source of concern and activism in the Gwinnett County school system.

The takeaway

The student walkouts in Gwinnett County highlight the growing role that young people are playing in voicing opposition to aggressive immigration policies and their effects on communities. As schools navigate these sensitive issues, they must balance supporting student expression with maintaining a safe and productive learning environment.