There’s no doubt children are endangered by school protests, especially ones defying law enforcement.
Yet hundreds of schools allowed anti-ICE walkouts and protests in the first quarter of 2026. More are planned for May Day (May 1) funded by far left interests.
According to the organization Defending Education, at least 394 school protests were held through March 2026 compared to 59 in all of 2025 and even fewer in prior years. Most protests this year expressed anti-ICE sentiments, but some addressed the topics of Palestine, gun control, and education funding. Objections to Turning Point USA also occurred although these were more numerous in 2025 after Charlie Kirk’s murder.
Defending Education says their count is probably low, since they relied on local news reports.
The tenor of many of the events was beyond disrespectful, with signs reflecting poorly on academic rigor and showcasing student indoctrination:
“No Cooperation with Deportation”
“F--k ICE”
“No Human is Illegal”
“No One is Illegal on Stolen Land”
“Protect the Students--- ICE Out Now”
“ICE is KKK spelled differently.”
“If You’re an I.C.E. Agent Ya Mom’s a Hoe!”
"ICE Melts Under Resistance”
“Skipping Our Lessons to Teach You One”
A school counselor in the Olentangy School District in Ohio appeared in a class picture holding a sign reading, “You cannot love God and ICE.”
Really? There’s nothing in Scripture about respecting law? About the need for gates and walls sometimes? About the expectation for the welcomed stranger to assimilate?
Several protests morphed into a “skip school” day where teens descended on local businesses. In North College Hill in Cincinnati, a demonstration during school hours ended with a number of students leaving campus. Some ran through a nearby Kroger, throwing beer cans, shouting anti-ICE comments and vulgarities.
At Hayes High School in Delaware, OH, a senior organized an anti-ICE protest during school hours. One senior interviewed said she wanted to participate to “make a stance in my own future, one where we shall not be afraid of a king.”
Is this ignorance never challenged? Although one might not agree with all of Donald Trump’s policies, he is exercising presidential duties much like JFK or even Bill Clinton would. There is nothing “king-like” going on.
In reality, classrooms are avoiding the truth in favor of social emotional learning (SEL) goals, including demands for “equity” and DEI that wildly distort previous understandings about civil rights. And the newer iteration, “transformative SEL,” directs students specifically toward “agency” to demand change. Translated, that means street action.
Should these anti-ICE walkouts during school and the vulgar signage receive few or no penalties?
And will we soon see more of these incidents turn to violence?
Schools better grapple quickly with such important questions as more protests are planned this spring. The National Education Association and others are spending millions to train activists to stage May Day (May 1) anti-ICE, Marxist events at schools, sometimes with outsiders entering school buildings in what is called a “walk-in.”
How can schools overcome teacher and student deception reflected by these protests? It’s an education issue, one crying out for a deeper dive in history and social studies’ classes.
But it’s also an issue of American stability. School communities and students are being deployed for political goals, including the midterm elections and Democrat anti-GOP sentiment.
This is our homeland, folks. Is it too much to expect that students have a fair grasp of these issues? Can we please stop trying to make a race card fit every current debate, when it often doesn’t? Can we please double check and not allow schools to be manipulated by paid Marxists, radical unions and non-American actors who want to collapse American society?
Respect for an opposite viewpoint is absent in many schools. One teacher in West Chicago posted “Go ICE” on social media. But after a community firestorm, he resigned.
Even grade schoolers are being trained for disruption. A group called Pint Size Protesters holds events called “Playdates with a Purpose” for middle and elementary grade students. At these playdates, children learn that “No human being is illegal,” and similar deceptive cliches as they decorate personalized backpacks and make whistle kits. Whistles are used for street action to disrupt legitimate ICE operations carrying out long -standing federal law.
Yet even some blue areas of the country can be persuaded to be fair when parents and students take a stand. A school in San Diego suspended a student who posted flyers in favor of ICE in the common area used for posting anti-ICE material. The school said the student’s message was “harassment” and “intimidation.” But after legal counsel got involved, the boy’s suspension was expunged.
So what do most people think? A recent survey shows that a solid majority from all viewpoints, 58%, supports substantial limits on school protests with many recommending a total return to academics. The survey was commissioned by The Center Square.
The good news is that some school administrators are holding students accountable.
At Wilson High School in Spring Township, Pennsylvania, the principal ordered students back to class under threat of suspension.
Over 300 high schoolers in the Prince William School District in Virginia were suspended for three days after an ICE protest. Unfortunately, when hundreds of students walked out again a week later, no suspensions were given.
Here in my state of Ohio, one terrific principal did the right thing. At Jonathan Alder High School in Plain City, students were notified before a planned walkout during school that it was not permitted and there would be disciplinary action taken.
How can schools justify deceiving children as young as grade school? The worldview of many current teachers is unflinchingly progressive: defy the mainstream, mock American law and patriotism, distort capitalism, promote early sexual debut, homosexuality, and gender confusion while disrespecting parents. And wherever possible, challenge Christianity.
Let’s not forget that first, the teachers themselves must be deluded. So those who believe any enforcement of federal illegal immigration law is “racist” will communicate that to children, and omit mentioning the rapists, child molesters and murderers here illegally who are the primary targets of ICE deportations. They will also omit the past overwhelming bipartisan support for the same operations the Trump DHS is implementing now.
They will also omit the rationale for legal migration: that it is required by virtually every other sovereign nation on the globe; that background checks are essential to guard societal stability and block criminal refugees; and that learning a nation’s language and assimilating is a protective measure for current citizens as well as the migrant.
While this issue is front and center, we haven’t even mentioned the usual springtime school disruption caused by the “LGBTQ pride” season. Expect more school demonstrations in the form of “celebration” on that issue, including “drag queen” events. Keep your eyes open and buckle up for what may be coming.
What does all this mean? It means that the climate in education has become more heated as indoctrination in many schools is intense. There’s often little hesitation to misuse authority to spread rumors and lies. The result is that it’s destabilizing these kids and our country.
We have to stand up, keep standing, and keep praying.
