Students walked out to protest President Donald Trump’s immigration policies today (Tuesday, Feb. 4) in between second and third period in response to Trump’s threats of mass deportation.
Students started walking from the bus ramp and lapped around the building, while assistant principals monitored their path. The main part of the protest took place near the flagpole, and was mostly joyous with students playing music from speakers, holding protest signs and dancing.
“We are still human beings,” said senior Jocelyn Jimenez, who was one of the roughly 200 protesting students. “I don’t think what’s going on is right. Everybody needs to just treat us equally. I just wish people would treat us like actual people.”
Campus administration emphasized the protest was neither sanctioned nor endorsed by the school.
The Reason
The Department of Homeland Security announced it will overturn a policy that prevents ICE from entering “protected spaces” such as schools or churches. Upon reasonable suspicion of undocumented status, ICE would have access to investigation of all schools.
“These students’ parents have tried so hard to bring a good life for their families,” senior Ashley Mondragon said. “Those parents can’t show it without reparations, so we should be their voices and speak out for them. Since we have the highest Hispanic population, our participation has a little more influence than other schools, and we should use our voices.”
The school’s student population is 66.9% Hispanic, according to the 2023-2024 Texas Academic Performance Report. That’s the highest Hispanic population in all Conroe Independent School District. The walk-out was an extension of a nationwide movement known as, “A Day Without Immigrants” held Monday, Feb. 3, that encouraged Hispanic Americans to skip work and school.
Senior Andy Martinez hopes his participation brings attention to both the school and his job.
“(The DHS proposal to remove protected spaces is) just unfair, because school is supposed to be a place for us to feel safe,” Martinez said. “The fact that they can just do that is scary. It might not seem like much right now, but whenever people see the impact Hispanic people have; it will. This protest is more than just students; it is showing that people in the Hispanic community are needed.”
Last Saturday, Feb. 1, protesters, including senior Yovana Sanchez, filled Downtown Conroe’s streets, speaking out on the same policies. She did not attend the in-school walkout Tuesday.
“(Allowing contributing immigrants to gain citizenship) is just having common human decency, ” Sanchez said. “It’s very important for voices to be heard. I mean, would you want your family to be torn apart after trying to do your best for your family?”
Disruption
After the first lap of the walk-out, assistant principals began directing students back inside. Some protesters re-rallied upon entering, continued marching and chanted down the hallways. The 1964 Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines notes students have free speech rights on campus, but specifically prevents speech that substantially disrupts the learning environment.
Benson released a statement on the protest and disruption:
“At Caney Creek High School, we respect our students’ right to express their opinions and engage in civic discourse. While we support student advocacy and free expression, our priority remains the safety and well-being of all students. We encourage students to engage in dialogue in ways that are constructive and do not disrupt the learning environment. Our staff is here to support students in finding appropriate avenues to express their voices while ensuring that instructional time is honored. This is one reason I have requested students to participate in the Principal’s Advisory Committee.
Unfortunately, there was a group of students that used this opportunity to run our hallways to disrupt our school and our learning environment while other students did the right thing and returned to class. Those students that chose to disrupt our halls hurt the overall message.
We encourage ongoing respectful conversations and engagement within the guidelines of our school policies. If any student has concerns or wishes to discuss these issues further, our doors are open for meaningful dialogue.”
