Students Call for Nationwide School Walkout to Protest ICE

Activists publish guide for coordinating anti-ICE demonstrations across the country on January 30

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:55am

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Student groups are calling for a nationwide school walkout on January 30 as part of a broader anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) campaign following fatal shootings in Minneapolis. Organizers have published a comprehensive online guide advising activists on how to prepare for coordinated actions "across the country."

Why it matters

The student-led effort stems from a national shutdown campaign calling for "no work, no school, no shopping" to protest immigration enforcement and the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, with organizers urging walkouts and after-school protests nationwide. The movement is framed as a response to the killings of Good and Pretti by immigration enforcement agents.

The details

The National Shutdown website calls for a day without school, work or commerce on January 30, saying protesters in the Twin Cities have "shown the way" and urging people to "stop funding ICE." An extensive guide released by anti-ICE activists provides step-by-step instructions for organizing school walkouts, including outreach, media planning and coordination with local protests later in the day. Organizers advise creating flyers, forming group chats, meeting with supportive teachers and administrators, recording short videos of the walkouts, and sending content to a listed movement email to amplify the action.

  • The nationwide school walkout is scheduled for January 30, 2026.
  • Earlier student walkouts this month protested immigration enforcement tactics and the fatal shooting of Renée Good in Minneapolis.

The players

Haley Torres

A junior at Garrett Morgan High School in Cleveland, Ohio who led chants through a megaphone as she and her classmates marched out of school during a recent walkout.

Jacob Frey

The mayor of Minneapolis who strongly disputed the framing of Renée Good's shooting by an ICE agent, saying "Having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly: That is bullshit."

Lee Saunders

The president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union, who expressed heartbreak and outrage over the killing of union member Alex Pretti by immigration officers.

Tricia McLaughlin

The DHS Assistant Secretary who previously told Newsweek that "Attacks and demonization of ICE are wrong" and that "President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message to illegal aliens: LEAVE NOW."

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What they’re saying

“The people of the Twin Cities have shown the way for the whole country—to stop ICE's reign of terror, we need to SHUT IT DOWN. On Friday, January 30, join a nationwide day of no school, no work and no shopping.”

— The National Shutdown website

“Somali and Black student organizations in Minneapolis are calling for a shutdown on Friday, January 30th, after the execution-style murder of Alex Pretti by immigration officers. They're asking people across the country to support the call.”

— The National Shutdown student walkout guide

“AFSCME members are heartbroken and outraged by the senseless killing of our fellow union member Alex Jeffrey Pretti. Alex was a true public servant who took care of our nation's veterans in the VA intensive care unit. The thoughts and prayers of AFSCME members nationwide are with Alex's family during this time.”

— Lee Saunders, President, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

“What is unfolding in Minnesota and across this nation is appalling and should shake every American to their core. ICE raids are terrorizing peaceful communities, separating families, detaining children and instilling fear. This is not American. ... We will not be silent as this administration uses violence and intimidation to enact its extremist agenda.”

— Lee Saunders, President, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

“Attacks and demonization of ICE are wrong. ICE officers are now facing a 1,300 percent increase in assaults. Illegal aliens that ICE is deporting broke our nation's laws. DHS is a law enforcement agency, and it will continue to carry out immigration enforcement for the safety of Americans who have been victimized by rapists, murderers, drug traffickers, and gang members.”

— Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary (Newsweek)

What’s next

Organizers are set to proceed with January 30 walkouts and after-school protests, urging students to coordinate locally and send photos and videos to central organizers to document participation. The White House said DHS and the FBI would examine the Pretti shooting and that U.S. Customs and Border Protection would conduct an internal review, with further details to be determined.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between immigrant communities, student activists, and federal immigration enforcement agencies like ICE. The nationwide school walkout reflects the determination of young people to take action against what they see as unjust and violent policies, even in the face of pushback from authorities.