High school students wave signs during a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Feb. 11 at Arlington City Hall. Police escorted some of the students during their walk to the protest.
Students from various Arlington-area high schools marched from their classrooms to Arlington City Hall, protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid threats from state officials to penalize school districts enabling walkouts.
Arlington High School students were the first to reach City Hall, followed by Sam Houston students — who arrived halfway through the protest with a police escort after an over 3-mile walk.
These individuals join students across Texas who have organized or participated in anti-ICE protests at their schools. As the movements continue, state officials have begun outlining regulations.
High school students protest in front of Arlington City Hall on Feb. 11. Protesters carried signs and yelled chants.
A 15-year-old Arlington High School student holds her hand up during a protest at Arlington City Hall on Feb. 11. The student said she learned about the walkout through social media.
The Texas Education Agency released guidance for school systems on Feb. 3, outlining consequences for students who participate in walkouts. According to the statement, students must be marked absent, and teachers and school systems that facilitate walkouts will be subject to investigations and sanctions.
Plans for the protest started through Instagram stories and were quickly underway, with over 50 students attending.
The two organizers from Sam Houston High School had the idea to protest while at theater rehearsal. They decided they wanted to do something to be a voice for others.
“We had to make sure it happened,” a 16-year-old Sam Houston High School sophomore said.
The Sam Houston High School principal called the police to escort the students from the property to City Hall. They had to take frequent breaks on the way but made it to the protest in the end.
In January of last year, President Trump signed the executive order “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” which declared immigrants lacking permanent legal status “significant threats to national security and public safety.”
A 16-year-old Arlington High School junior shouts during a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Feb. 11 at Arlington City Hall. Arlington High School students were later joined by Sam Houston High School students.
The order states that it ensures the federal government protects the American people by faithfully carrying out the immigration laws of the United States. Other executive orders have targeted immigration, such as “Securing Our Borders,” “Guaranteeing the States Protection Against Invasion” and “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program.”
These and other orders and actions have spurred protests throughout Trump’s first year of presidency in his second term.
Protesters’ enthusiastic screams could be heard streets away from City Hall. Participants cheered at each vehicle that honked as it drove by and raised colorful signs proudly in the air, displaying messages such as “we’re skipping a lesson to teach you one” and “we are not criminals, we are dreamers.”
A 15-year-old Arlington High School sophomore said they came together to protest ICE peacefully.
A 17-year-old Arlington High School junior shouts during a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Feb. 11 at Arlington City Hall. She said participating in the protest was a worthy use of her time.
“What ICE is doing is really bad and hurting others, putting people down and unnecessary killing. I don’t support that,” she said.
Traditional dancing to Mexican and Latin music accompanied the voices yelling anti-ICE chants.
“Taking a stand and using our First Amendment right is more important than any class we could have right now,” said Chris Jones, an 18-year-old Arlington High School senior.
@atclements @wall035203