Houston Independent School District (HISD) students walked out of school last week in a protest against the increasing fear and anxiety generated by the recent ice raids in their communities. The raids, which are part of the broad immigration enforcement agenda of the Trump administration, have left many families feeling vulnerable and targeted. With the promise of a crackdown on illegal immigrants, the school atmosphere has been galvanized by worry, particularly for those students with family members directly affected by such measures.

The students‘ walkout was not simply a spontaneous knee-jerkresponse of rebellion; it was a gesture of solidarity with classmates and family. A majority of these youth have witnessed friends and family members being taken away by the authorities, and this has created an atmosphere of deep worry and distress. The students wished to bringattention to the emotional and psychological effect that such raids have on their lives and the community in general. Compounding their frustration was the feeling that there was no support from the school administration, in particular the superintendent.

Students believed the district leadership had not spoken out forcefully enough in response to their concerns or forcefully enough in oppositionto the raids and felt abandoned at a moment of need. Some students had hoped school would be a sanctuary, a place where they would beprotected from outside authorities. Lastly, the walkout was a statementof their rights and a call to action.

The students demanded to be listened to and for the school administration to be more engaged in standing with immigrant families. They did not only want protection for their loved ones, but a reassertion of their dignity as students and as part of a vibrant, diverse community. Their actions underscored the urgency of the moment and the need for more empathetic leadership during these challenging times.