Asheville Students Protest Immigration Enforcement

School officials praise walkout against ICE

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Over 200 students at A.C. Reynolds High School in Asheville, North Carolina charged across a busy highway in a protest against immigration enforcement. Instead of disciplining the students for skipping class, school officials praised the demonstration organized by the local teachers union affiliate.

Why it matters

These types of student protests against immigration enforcement have been occurring across the country, often with the encouragement of teachers unions. Some states like Texas and Florida have cracked down on such actions, raising questions about how North Carolina will respond.

The details

The protest at A.C. Reynolds High School involved over 200 students who left their classes to demonstrate against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the enforcement of immigration laws. Rather than attempt to get the students back in class, school officials praised the student walkout organized by the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), the state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA).

  • The protest occurred on February 19, 2026.

The players

A.C. Reynolds High School

A public high school located in Asheville, North Carolina.

North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE)

The state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers union in the United States.

National Education Association (NEA)

The largest teachers union in the United States, which has encouraged similar student protests against immigration enforcement across the country.

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What they’re saying

“We must support our students in their fight for justice, even if it means missing a few classes.”

— School Official (beaufortcountynow.com)

What’s next

State governments in Texas and Florida have cracked down on these types of student protests, raising questions about how North Carolina will respond.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing tensions around immigration enforcement and the role of teachers unions in encouraging student activism, even when it disrupts the school day.