Students across more than three dozen states are organizing walkouts, sit-ins, and rallies to protest ICE actions in their communities. From Utah to Maine, from Maryland to Washington, from Minnesota to Texas, young people are exercising their right to speak out.

In Texas, state leaders are responding with investigations and threats. Governor Greg Abbott has warned districts about funding consequences. The Texas Education Agency has instructed schools to mark protesting students absent and signaled potential sanctions. Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened investigations into districts in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Manor, and others, demanding records related to student walkouts.

More than half of Texas public school students are Hispanic or Latino. Many have family members directly affected by ICE actions. Across the country, they are not alone. When students walk out, they are responding to fear and disruption in their own communities.

Public schools are not factories designed to produce silence. Sit-ins, walkouts, and other student-led protest actions are part of the civic tradition of this country. They teach young people that democracy requires participation.

They show students that they have a voice in shaping the future. Threatening districts with funding cuts or investigations because students exercised that voice is an abuse of power that undermines the educational mission and chills democratic engagement.

State education leaders must make it clear that students will not face retaliation for peaceful protest and that districts will not be punished for respecting constitutional rights.

Click “Start Writing” to send a message to your statewide superintendent and educational agency opposing retaliation against public schools and demanding protection for students protesting ICE now.