Hundreds of students across Austin walked out of their classes on Friday, January 30, 2026, joining a national day of action against federal immigration enforcement policies. The protests targeted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, specifically referencing recent events in Minneapolis and Austin.
The student walkouts culminated in a large rally at the Texas Capitol, drawing over a thousand participants. This demonstration highlights growing youth engagement in federal policy discussions as many approach their first opportunity to vote.
Key Takeaways
- Students from multiple Austin high schools participated in a nationwide walkout against ICE.
- The protest was sparked by recent deaths in Minneapolis and a child's detention in South Texas.
- Over a thousand people, including students, gathered at the Texas Capitol for a rally.
- Several Austin businesses supported the protest by donating profits to immigration advocacy groups.
- Two individuals were arrested near the Capitol during the demonstrations.
Student Voices Lead the Protest
Students from Eastside Early College High School, Kealing Middle School, Crockett High, and McCallum High schools were among those who left their classrooms. Their collective action aimed to bring attention to the impact of immigration policies on families and communities.
Many students expressed personal connections to the issue. Jayla, a 17-year-old junior from Eastside, spoke about her motivation. She referenced recent deaths in Minneapolis and Los Angeles, as well as local families affected by ICE activity.
"They're tearing innocent families apart," Jayla stated. "They're killing innocent people — and they're just doing a lot."
Jayla’s mother supported her decision to participate, underscoring the belief that the issue transcended academic responsibilities. "This is bigger than school," Jayla added. "School’s still gonna be there."
Student Participation
- Eastside Early College High School: Hundreds of students walked out.
- McCallum High School: Dozens of students joined the protest.
- Crockett High School: Students walked out in significant numbers.
- Kealing Middle School: Also saw student participation.
Personal Impact Drives Action
For Eastside senior Eluney, the demonstration was deeply personal. She shared concerns about how federal actions instill fear within the community.
"It is Austin, and all these kids have families that can be hurt in this situation or people can be taken and separated," Eluney explained. "Our school is so united, that it would hurt all of us if one person was taken away. So really it’s just our voices need to be heard and we need to be loud."
Another Eastside senior, Christopher, highlighted the significance of youth involvement. He emphasized that the walkout allowed students to voice their opinions on federal policy as they approach their first voting opportunity.
"It’s important for teenagers to be out on the streets because we’re the next generation that’s gonna have a say in this country, in this world, in this society," Christopher said.
Students from McCallum High School began their walkout shortly after 1:30 p.m., making their way to the Capitol. Crockett High School students also joined the afternoon protests.
Rally at the Texas Capitol
The protests culminated in a rally at the Texas Capitol. At least a thousand people attended, with several hundred high school and college students from across Austin joining the demonstration. The Austin chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation organized the event.
The organization has held multiple demonstrations following specific incidents. These include the deaths of Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, and the detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo-Ramos at an ICE facility in South Texas. These events have fueled local activism.
Background on Recent Incidents
The protests follow several key incidents that have galvanized activists:
- Deaths of Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
- Detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo-Ramos in a South Texas ICE facility.
- Death of Keith Porter Jr. in Los Angeles, also cited by student protestors.
These events have become focal points for national and local movements advocating for immigration reform and accountability.
A New Generation of Activists
James Fabris, an Austin resident, observed the student-led efforts. He called the protesting students a "new generation of revolutionaries." Fabris noted the spontaneous nature of the student mobilization, indicating a strong desire for change.
"These young people did this themselves, and that's what's most important to understand," Fabris commented. "They were telling me that half their school walked out, and it wasn't even hard to convince the students to walk out. Everyone was like, ‘Let's go.’ I want to see this spread across the country. I want to see the adults catch up."
June, a McCallum High student, continued protesting on Capitol grounds after circling her school. She expressed that her identity as a trans individual made her feel directly impacted by federal policies, motivating her to stay informed and involved.
March and Arrests
After an hour of rallying at the Capitol, the large group marched down Congress Avenue. They chanted slogans such as, "We want justice, we want peace, we want ICE out our streets," and "Say it loud, say it clear, ICE is not welcome here."
During the march, two protest attendees were arrested near the Capitol by officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Austin Police Department. Neither agency provided immediate comments regarding the arrests.
Local Businesses Show Support
Beyond student and community participation, several Austin businesses joined the nationwide shutdown in solidarity. Businesses like End of an Ear, Flitch Coffee, and Room Service Vintage were among those that closed or altered their operations to support the cause.
BookPeople, a local bookstore, chose to remain open but pledged to donate all profits from Friday to two unions in the Twin Cities area. SJ Thompson, the store’s general manager, explained the decision.
"Our logo is a community bound by books [so] we felt like we needed to stand in solidarity with the economic blackout," Thompson said. They noted that recent cold weather prevented a full shutdown, but the store aimed to contribute meaningfully.
Radio Coffee & Beer also remained open, committing half of its profits to American Gateways and the American Immigration Council. Bouldin Creek Café, another local establishment, donated all its sales to Casa Marianella, a nonprofit shelter assisting asylum-seeking immigrants in Central Texas.
Leslie Martin, owner of Bouldin Creek Café, described the decision-making process as difficult but ultimately aligned with their values. "We were debating what we would do, and we were already gonna make a donation, and then we just decided to do 100%," Martin shared. Despite a challenging week due to weather, Martin believed it was the right course of action, trusting in community support.