Indiana Students Hold ICE Walkouts, Raising Questions About Rights

Thousands of students across the state are protesting immigration enforcement by staging school walkouts.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 2:39pm

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Thousands of students across Indiana are protesting the Trump administration's immigration policies and escalating ICE activity by staging school walkouts. Several walkouts have already occurred or are planned at high schools in Carmel, Bloomington, Brownsburg, Noblesville, and Fortville. While students do not have a First Amendment right to participate in walkouts, the 1969 Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines established that students retain some constitutional rights at school, including the right to protest, as long as it does not substantially disrupt the learning environment.

Why it matters

The surge in student protest activity, especially amid below-freezing temperatures, follows the recent deaths of two U.S. citizens at the hands of federal immigration agents. The walkouts highlight growing concerns about immigration enforcement and students' rights to free speech and expression.

The details

Students are participating in the "Free America Walkout," a nationwide movement to push back against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts to round up undocumented immigrants. While students do not have an absolute First Amendment right to participate in walkouts, the Supreme Court has ruled that students retain some constitutional rights at school, including the right to protest, as long as it does not substantially disrupt the learning environment. Schools can discipline students for missing class or breaking other rules, but they must treat all protests consistently and cannot engage in viewpoint discrimination.

  • On January 20, students at Carmel High School and Bloomington High School South left class as part of the Free America Walkout.
  • Additional walkouts are planned at Brownsburg High School, Noblesville High School, and Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.

The players

Renee Good

A U.S. citizen who died at the hands of federal immigration agents in January.

Alex Pretti

A U.S. citizen who died at the hands of federal immigration agents in January.

Adam Goldstein

An expert in student rights at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

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What they’re saying

“Student speech, including protest, is protected except when it creates a substantial risk of material disruption.”

— Adam Goldstein, Expert in student rights (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression)

“Every student is going to have to decipher for themselves what they think is the right thing to do. I can tell you that the law isn't going to protect you when you do it. ... At the end of the day, it comes down to the advocacy that you believe in and that you want to engage in.”

— Adam Goldstein, Expert in student rights (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.