March, 2026
By Nyssa Vasquez, Amy Hernandez, & Juan Vargas-Carbajal, Staff Reporters
Across the United States, walkouts in schools organized by the students have been occurring more and more. In Texas, these protests have been gaining the attention of our politicians.
Hundreds of students from Austin and Central Texas schools have been walking out of class, marching downtown, and raising their voices in protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Trump administration’s immigration policies. What began as a wave of student walkouts in late January has grown into a steady movement that shows no signs of stopping.
Why Students Are Protesting
Most of the protests in Texas, including in Austin, began as reactions to what students described as disturbing incidents tied to ICE across the country, including reports of people dying in immigration custody, families being separated, and many US citizens wrongfully detained just based on their colored skin and accents. Many students say they can’t just sit in class when they see others suffering. The protests have spread to students from Austin ISD, Del Valle ISD, and other nearby districts who share a belief that young people should have a say in how their country is being run.
For some teens, the issue hits close to home. An anonymous 17-year-old student from Austin, said she protested because her parents live in fear of leaving the house to go to work and not being able to come back home, leaving her family to struggle daily. “It’s just always in the back of my mind,” the student said. “Like, what if today’s the day something happens and they don’t come back? It’s scary.” Another organizer explained how planning the walkouts on Instagram brought hundreds of students together to speak up for something we all believe in.
Political Backlash in Texas
But in Texas, that activism hasn’t come without consequences. Republican leaders in the state, including Attorney General Ken Paxton and Governor Greg Abbott, have openly criticized the protests. Paxton has opened investigations into school districts, including Austin ISD, Hutto ISD, and others. Accusing them of not doing enough to stop students from walking out during school hours. The state education agency is also reviewing districts and launching investigations to see if they “facilitated” or “encouraged” the walkouts.
Some state officials have even threatened to strip school funding or punish schools found guilty, and there have been reports of suspensions and restrictions on students who join the protests. These responses have angered many teens who say they are simply standing up for what they believe is right.
For many students the criticism they’re receiving isn’t a reason to quit, it’s a reason to keep going.
Why Student Protests Matter
Students say their protests matter because young voices are part of the future of the country. By marching, chanting, and showing up, they believe they are helping raise awareness about immigration policy and the human cost tied to it. Many also say this is their first real experience with civic engagement and they don’t want to waste it.
Across Texas, students are learning that even though they can’t vote yet, their voices can still shape conversations and push adults and politicians to pay attention.
In the shadow of the Texas State Capitol, students say their movement is about more than just one policy or one president. It’s about being heard and about having humanity. Even as leaders like Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton push back against the walkouts, many teens say the criticism only proves their point. That powerful adults are paying attention.
For these students, protesting against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and federal immigration policies isn’t just a trend. It’s personal. It’s about their friends, their families, their futures, and communities. And in a city like Austin, where activism is part of the culture, young people are learning that democracy doesn’t start at 18, it starts when you decide to speak up.
As the chants echo through the streets, one thing is clear: Texas students aren’t planning to stay silent anytime soon and we hope the adults in charge will listen to what we have to say.
The Cardinal Post 