East Aurora students walk out to protest against ICE

Dozens of students walked out of class to voice concerns over federal immigration enforcement activity in the area.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 6:55pm

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Dozens of students from East Aurora School District 131 walked out of class on Tuesday to protest against federal immigration enforcement actions, adding to a recent string of similar student-led actions in the Chicago area. The district said it does not condone walkouts during school hours but worked with the Aurora Police Department to ensure student safety during the protest.

Why it matters

The walkout is part of a broader trend of student activism against the Trump administration's immigration policies, including recent protests in Chicago following the killing of an intensive care nurse by federal agents. The East Aurora district has also been grappling with incidents of immigration enforcement activity near its schools in recent months.

The details

The rally happened just a day after a similar action on Chicago's North Side, when hundreds of students walked out of their classrooms in protest. Several videos on social media showed dozens of East Aurora students holding signs and walking outside the high school and through downtown Aurora. The district said only high school students participated and that it offered a 'secure location inside the school' for students to voice their concerns, but students ultimately walked out.

  • The walkout occurred on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
  • A similar student walkout happened a day earlier on Chicago's North Side.

The players

East Aurora School District 131

The school district where the student walkout took place.

Bob Halverson

The superintendent of East Aurora School District 131.

Aurora Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that worked with the school district to ensure student safety during the walkout.

Ben Fredericks

An Aurora resident whose daughter, a freshman at the high school, participated in the walkout.

Alex Pretti

An intensive care nurse who was fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis, sparking recent protests.

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What they’re saying

“It's important to stand up with your peers and to stand up against injustice.”

— Ben Fredericks, Aurora resident (The Beacon-News)

“Our number one job is to educate children. We always focus on the education of students, but, when our students have concerns, we definitely want to hear their voice.”

— Bob Halverson, Superintendent, East Aurora School District 131 (The Beacon-News)

What’s next

The district said it will continue to examine its procedures and adapt to recent immigration enforcement actions in the area, including hosting training for school leadership and creating response groups at each school building.

The takeaway

The East Aurora student walkout is the latest in a series of protests by young people against the Trump administration's immigration policies, highlighting the growing activism of students who are concerned about the impact of these policies on their communities.