America has seen a surge in anti-ICE protests since the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in January, and demonstrations showing that Americans are fed up with the immigration agency’s violent actions can be seen all over the country. A group of high school students in Texas is one of the latest examples of how widespread dissatisfaction with ICE has become.
In a viral video shared on social media, dozens of high school students from Texas can be seen taking part in an anti-ICE walkout along a highway. The teenagers call out ICE for using unrestrained force against many individuals across America, and argue that the country should “defund ICE,” slamming it as an inherently racist institution.
More than just criticizing ICE, the students shown in the video say they are afraid for their own safety. According to them, over 60% of all the students in their school are Hispanic, and they “deserve to have a country that they feel safe in.” It makes sense that students in Texas might feel afraid of ICE, as statistics show that Texas has the highest number of detained immigrants in the country.
Texas Teenagers Inspire People Online With Their Walkout Against ICE
The actions of these Texan teenagers have inspired people online, who praised their efforts: “The future standing up. The future is now.” Some users also said that seeing these students “gives me hope for the future of humankind,” with some impressed by how well-organized the teens were.
Among the commenters, some people also saw youth rebellion as a way out of the country’s current political troubles: “MAGA is underestimating how angry the emerging generation is. All they remember is corporate greed, a fumbled pandemic, corrupt politicians and a crumbling democracy.”
The official response to these walkouts has not been as positive as their online reception, though. As many students have been protesting in Texas during the last few weeks, the Texas Education Agency recently issued guidelines on the issue, warning that those believed to be helping them could face consequences. According to the release, “schools risk losing daily attendance funding if they allow or encourage students to walk out of class” and “teachers who facilitate walkouts will be subject to investigation and sanction, including licensure revocation.”
