As Seguin High sophomore Janelle walked to the corner of Silo and Eden roads in Arlington, a green shirt with a Mexican flag stitched on the back draped over her shoulders.
Worry, anger and fear all washed over her as she stood next to classmates and wondered what the consequences would be for walking out of school to protest recent deportations and deadly shootings related to immigration enforcement. Then she remembered her grandmother, who inspired her to attend Thursday’s protest in the first place.
“She came here as an immigrant,” Janelle said. “So I feel like I should be out here and show her that I can do it, and I can protect people.”
Janelle was one of many in Arlington and Mansfield who participated in walkouts this week to protest against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The demonstrations were the latest in a string of student-led events across North Texas as tensions continue to rise surrounding immigration enforcement.
Senior Abagail chants during a districtwide student walkout Feb. 12 at Mansfield High School. Abagail wore ribbons in her hair to carry a piece of her family with her. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Recently, state officials warned public school district administrators that they may be subject to a state takeover if they assist in what Gov. Greg Abbott described as “inappropriate political activism.”
In a statement, Arlington school district officials said that they did not facilitate any of the walkouts.
Dozens of Seguin High School students met behind the Arlington campus before walking nearly 2 miles to the corner of Sublett and Matlock roads.
Arlington police officers followed and drove alongside the students. In a statement, Arlington Police Department officials said they were in discussions with school administrators to identify possible walkouts and monitor those participating to keep them safe.
Police officials added that they had not encountered any safety concerns with any student walkouts so far.
Mansfield Police Department officials did not respond to a request for comment.
On Wednesday, students from multiple Arlington high schools walked out, protesting at City Hall.
During the Thursday protest, Seguin junior Dakota said the conditions in immigration detention centers are not just, adding he is Native American and that nobody is illegal on land stolen from his ancestors.
“Nobody’s safe at this point, and it’s just completely wrong,” Dakota said.
Arlington ISD officials said students who skipped class to participate in the protest would be marked absent. Texas Education Agency officials reminded public school administrators that “students must face the consequences of their actions during the school day, including potentially being assigned an unexcused absence” if they participate in walkouts.
Dakota said he was glad AISD administrators were not imposing a harsher punishment.
“I’m really glad that (Arlington ISD) did like the bare minimum to allow the students to still protest but still be in line with the TEA,” Dakota said.
At Mansfield High School, about 60 students emerged from the back entrance, holding signs reading “No Human Is Illegal” and “Immigrants Make America Great.”
Students carry signs while chanting during a districtwide student walkout Feb. 12 at Mansfield High School. The students were protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Mansfield senior Abagail held a sign quoting Leviticus 19:33-34, which calls for the respect of foreigners as one would have for those who are native-born. The teen said a close family member was deported a few years ago, and she believes ICE officers are wrongfully targeting those of Latino descent.
“Since ICE came to Texas, people are way more scared,” Abagail said. “It’s disgusting what they do because it’s not about criminals. It is pure racism. What they’re doing, it is pure hatred.”
Mansfield ISD officials released a statement to parents and staff stating that although they value students’ voices and how they choose to express them, they plan to follow the state’s guidelines.
The district’s statement noted that students who choose to walk out and are marked for an unexcused absence are at risk of losing eligibility for extracurricular activities in athletics and fine arts.
Abagail said she admired her peers who risked getting in trouble for protesting.
“This matters more to me than just school because it is much more,” she said.
The students walked down East Broad Street, holding small pink megaphones and chanting in unison. As they walked, cars honked and waved in encouragement.
Estrella, a senior at Mansfield High, said she is using her voice for other students and family members who may be too scared to speak out.
“A lot of my friends are scared for their families and parents getting taken,” Estrella said. “If someone’s scared to talk about it, then I have to speak up for them.”
Chris Moss is a reporter for the Arlington Report. Contact him at chris.moss@arlingtonreport.org.
Bianca Rodriguez-Mora is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at bianca@fortworthreport.org.
At the Arlington Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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