Columbus students expand anti-ICE walkouts as schools plan safety steps and educators raise legal concerns

Student-led protests continue across Columbus-area schools

Students at multiple Columbus and Franklin County schools have continued a series of walkouts and on-campus actions protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in central Ohio. Organizers say the protests are aimed at raising awareness, signaling support for immigrant classmates and families, and sharing practical information about how to respond if someone is approached or detained by federal immigration agents.

The recent actions follow a student-organized walkout at Dublin Scioto High School in early January. In subsequent weeks, additional walkouts were reported at Upper Arlington High School, Whetstone High School, Westland High School, Hilliard Darby High School and Fort Hayes Arts and Academic High School, among other sites in the Columbus area.

Columbus International students plan walkout and educational sit-in

At Columbus International High School, student organizers scheduled a walkout for Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, alongside an educational sit-in option for students who want to participate without leaving the building. The plan reflects safety and attendance concerns as well as differing comfort levels among students.

Organizers described preparing multilingual materials and incorporating an informational session that would point students to resources, including guidance on what to do if someone is questioned by immigration authorities. Students also cited the school’s highly diverse enrollment as a factor shaping both the perceived stakes and the organizing effort.

Educator responses focus on student attendance, safety, and access to schooling

Local education leaders and teacher organizations have publicly raised concerns that immigration enforcement activity near schools can contribute to fear, reduced attendance, and diminished family engagement. Those concerns are grounded in the legal requirement that public schools provide access to education regardless of immigration status, and in the operational reality that heightened fear can disrupt routine school functions.

Some students also pointed to reports of federal activity near school grounds during the weeks leading up to winter break, describing precautionary steps taken to ensure student safety.

Policy backdrop: federal guidance on enforcement in “protected areas” changed in 2025

The student protests are unfolding after a shift in federal policy affecting immigration enforcement at or near locations historically treated as “protected areas.” In January 2025, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded guidance that had instructed immigration enforcement personnel to avoid actions in sensitive locations such as schools, houses of worship and certain healthcare settings. The change has prompted renewed debate nationwide over student safety, access to public services, and the boundaries of enforcement activity in community institutions.

• What students are doing: walkouts, rallies, and on-campus educational actions.
• What organizers say they want: visibility, community support, and practical information-sharing.
• What schools and educators are emphasizing: safety planning, uninterrupted learning, and consistent access to education.

Several student organizers said the intent is to show that young people can organize collectively while prioritizing safety and clear communication.

Columbus-area protests are expected to continue as students coordinate actions across schools and as families, educators, and local institutions adjust to the evolving federal enforcement landscape.