SILVER SPRING, Md. – Students at Montgomery Blair High School are organizing a walkout on Thursday, June 12, to protest the deportation of a fellow classmate and stand in solidarity with undocumented students across Maryland.
The action is being led by the school’s chapter of Students FAIR (Students For Asylum and Immigration Reform), a Montgomery County student-run organization dedicated to defending immigrant youth and their families.
A Response Rooted in Outrage and Grief
In a statement shared across social media, Students FAIR expressed anger and heartbreak following the recent deportation of a Blair High School student.
“Last week, one of our classmates was deported. We’re heartbroken, we’re angry, and we’re not staying silent,” the post reads.
The students say the deportation has had a chilling effect on the school community and reinforces fear among undocumented students who attend school under the daily threat of immigration enforcement.
Details of the Walkout
According to the group’s announcement, the walkout will take place after lunch on Thursday, June 12. Students plan to gather at the front entrance of the school by the bus loop to peacefully demonstrate.
The protest aims to send a clear message: “Education, NOT Deportation.”
“We’re showing up for our classmate and for every undocumented student who deserves to learn without the threat of deportation,” the group stated.
A Call for Safe Schools
Students FAIR emphasized that schools must be places of learning and safety, not fear.
“Join us to protest indiscriminate and aggressive immigration actions,” the organizers wrote. “Schools should be places of safety, not fear.”
While the identity of the deported student and details of their case have not been released publicly, students organizing the walkout say the incident reflects broader concerns about how immigration enforcement affects youth and their access to education.
Support from Student and Advocacy Groups
The planned walkout has gained attention from immigrant rights organizations and student advocacy groups throughout the county. Students FAIR has chapters in multiple schools and is known for mobilizing around issues affecting immigrant communities.
Montgomery Blair High School has a diverse student body, with many students from immigrant families, making the impact of such deportations particularly personal.
Peaceful Protest and Student Voice
Organizers are encouraging all participants to remain peaceful and respectful during the demonstration. The goal, they say, is to raise awareness and demand change, not to disrupt or create conflict.
The protest highlights the growing role of high school students in advocating for immigration justice, often directly confronting policies that affect their classmates, friends, and families.
Conclusion
As Thursday approaches, students at Montgomery Blair High School are preparing to walk out not just in protest, but in solidarity — standing together to assert that no student should live in fear simply for seeking an education.
“Education, NOT Deportation” is more than a slogan for these students — it’s a call to action.
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