Schools Organize Anti-ICE Student Walkouts Across US

Principals, teachers, and unions lead students out of classrooms for protests against immigration enforcement.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Teachers and school administrators across the country have been organizing and leading students out of classrooms and off school grounds into often violent left-wing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These walkouts have resulted in confrontations, property damage, and concerns from some parents about the safety of students.

Why it matters

The involvement of school officials in politically-charged student protests raises questions about the appropriate role of educators and the use of school resources for activism. There are concerns that students are being used as 'pawns' in political agendas and exposed to dangerous situations outside the safety of school grounds.

The details

In Issaquah, Washington, teachers at Issaquah High School helped students begin an anti-ICE protest that turned violent, with students beating up a mother. The school principal acknowledged the violence but did not condemn it, saying there were no 'serious injuries.' Teachers also led a protest at the district's middle school that same day, which also devolved into violence and property destruction. In Dallas, Texas, students walked out of school and blocked traffic during an anti-ICE protest. The United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) union has been caught planning 'ICE resistance' activities and encouraging teachers to offer 'service learning hours' for engaging students in 'community self-defense'.

  • On February 9, 2026, teachers at Issaquah High School in Issaquah, Washington helped students begin an anti-ICE protest.
  • Also on February 9, 2026, teachers led Issaquah's middle school students in a protest that turned violent.
  • In recent weeks, students in Dallas, Texas have walked out of school to protest against ICE.

The players

Erin Connolly

The principal of Issaquah High School in Issaquah, Washington who acknowledged the violence at the student protest but did not condemn it.

United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA)

The teachers' union that has been caught planning 'ICE resistance' activities and encouraging teachers to offer 'service learning hours' for engaging students in 'community self-defense'.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The school district and local authorities are likely to review policies around student protests and the involvement of school staff to ensure the safety of students.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the ongoing debate around the appropriate role of schools and educators in politically-charged student activism, and the need to balance students' rights to protest with concerns about their safety and the use of school resources for partisan purposes.