OKCPS Students Walk Out to Protest ICE, Face Absences & Suspension Threat

Oklahoma City high school students staged walkouts on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Students from U.S. Grant High School and Classen SAS High School at Northeast participated in the demonstrations, voicing their opposition to ICE policies.

The protests unfolded with students congregating both outside their school campuses and near the Oklahoma City Capitol building. Classen SAS students were observed near the Capitol entrance, while U.S. Grant students demonstrated just outside their school grounds. The walkouts represent a growing wave of student activism across the United States concerning immigration policy and the role of federal enforcement agencies.

Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) responded to the peaceful demonstrations by issuing unexcused absences to all students who participated. According to a statement released by OKCPS Executive Director of Communications &amp. Management Crystal Raymond, “Today, some OKCPS students participated in a peaceful on-campus walkout. While most students remained on campus under staff supervision, a number of students left campus without permission. We respect students’ right to express their voices; however, leaving campus disrupted school operations and created safety concerns. Students who participated will receive an unexcused absence and it’s important to know that disorderly conduct will be handled in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Student and staff safety remains our top priority.”

The district’s response highlights the tension between supporting students’ rights to free expression and maintaining order and safety within the school environment. The issuance of unexcused absences underscores the district’s position that leaving school grounds during instructional hours is a disruption to educational activities.

Adding a political dimension to the events, Oklahoma House Member Michael Brooks reportedly approached the protesters and invited them inside the Capitol building to continue their demonstration and exercise their First Amendment rights. This gesture suggests a degree of political support for the students’ cause within the state legislature.

The walkouts come amidst a broader national debate regarding immigration enforcement and the impact of ICE policies on communities. While the specific grievances of the Oklahoma students were not detailed in available reports, such protests often stem from concerns about family separations, detention conditions, and the broader impact of immigration enforcement on immigrant communities. The timing of the protests, however, is notable, occurring during a period of heightened political scrutiny of immigration policy at both the state and federal levels.

Classen SAS High School at Northeast, located at

, is part of the Oklahoma City Public School District. The school’s mission, as stated on its website, is “to ensure that all students learn at high levels to become high-quality, academically prepared, global citizens.” The school’s administration includes Principal Milton Bowens and Assistant Principals Geri Hemphill, Mitch McIntosh, and Richard Mead.

OKCPS, in its statement to parents, reiterated its concerns regarding class disruption and emphasized that the district does not sponsor or approve of walkouts during school hours. The district also stated that attendance expectations and school rules would be enforced. This firm stance reflects the district’s commitment to maintaining a structured learning environment and upholding its established policies.

Footage of the protests was captured by Bob Mills SkyNews9, providing visual documentation of the student demonstrations. The ongoing nature of the story, as indicated by reports labeling it “developing,” suggests that further details and developments may emerge in the coming days. The incident raises questions about the balance between student activism, school administration policies, and the broader political context surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States.

The walkouts at U.S. Grant and Classen SAS High School represent a localized expression of a national conversation. The students’ actions, and the subsequent response from the school district, highlight the challenges of navigating politically charged issues within the educational system and the ongoing debate over immigration policy in the United States.