Las Vegas High School Students Stage Walkouts to Protest ICE Activity

Hundreds of high school students across the Las Vegas Valley walked out of class Wednesday, taking part in coordinated protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.

The demonstrations took place at multiple campuses within the Clark County School District, including Cheyenne High School in North Las Vegas and Rancho High School. Students gathered outside school grounds, chanting and holding signs as part of what organizers described as a response to recent national immigration enforcement actions.

According to students who participated, the walkouts were promoted through flyers and social media, with many demonstrations beginning around 10:30 a.m. The protests were also connected to outrage over the recent shooting death of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, which authorities say involved an ICE agent.

Some students said they chose to leave class despite knowing it could result in unexcused absences. Others shared personal concerns about how immigration enforcement affects their families and communities.

A University of Nevada, Las Vegas history professor told reporters that while student protests may not immediately lead to policy changes, they can have a broader long-term impact by encouraging civic engagement and future political involvement.

Clark County School District officials released a statement acknowledging the protests and reiterating that students are encouraged to be active participants in democracy. However, under Nevada law, any student who leaves campus without parental permission must be marked absent unless excused by a guardian. The district also emphasized that it does not check students’ immigration status and does not enforce federal immigration law.

During a separate protest at Desert Rose High School, one student was struck by a vehicle and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Police say the driver remained at the scene.

The Las Vegas-area demonstrations followed similar student walkouts across the country earlier this week, as young people continue to voice concerns about immigration enforcement and its impact on their communities.

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