The principal of Wilson High School in Spring Township, Pennsylvania, ordered students to return to class after they walked out to protest federal immigration enforcement. Principal Daniel Weber confronted the students, warning them that they would face immediate suspension if they continued to operate "outside the bounds" of school rules. The confrontation was captured in a video posted to TikTok, showing Weber informing the group that their previously discussed event had been canceled.
"We go back to class and we’re good. If you stay out here, we will get your names, you will be suspended, OK?" Weber told the gathered students. He emphasized that the school's authority takes precedence during the academic day. "Your rights do not supersede the school," Weber added, making it clear that leaving the building without permission would not be tolerated.
The walkout at Wilson High School is part of a growing national trend of student-led anti-ICE protests following the January shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Roughly 60 students participated in the Spring Township event despite the district's warnings that the demonstration was unsanctioned. School officials stated that the event was canceled because it was not properly planned, which limited their ability to ensure student safety.
A spokesperson for the Wilson School District clarified that the potential discipline is not a result of the students' political viewpoints. Instead, any consequences are based on violations of established procedures, such as leaving class without authorization and failing to follow staff directions. "Students were not, and are not, disciplined for expressing their viewpoints," the district spokesperson stated.
Similar protests across the country have led to more severe outcomes, including arrests for assault and obstruction in Washington state. In a separate incident near Seattle, a father went viral after "tearing into" a school board for allowing his son to participate in a walkout without parental notice. "You exposed him to real danger. That’s neglect and that’s endangerment," Vance Glawe told the Highline School Board.
The Trump administration has vowed to maintain its hard-line immigration crackdown despite the wave of protests from student activists and liberal lawmakers. While districts like Wilson High School aim to maintain "neutral" stances, the rising frequency of these unsanctioned walkouts has created significant safety concerns for administrators. For now, the students at Wilson High have been given a final choice: return to the classroom or face the record of a formal suspension.