Students at IC Imagine Public Charter School participated in a walkout to protest immigration enforcement operations, joining a broader trend of student-led protests across western North Carolina and the United States. These demonstrations have been partly in response to deadly incidents involving federal immigration agents and have prompted various school districts to address their policies on student protests. School districts like Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools emphasize student safety but have yet to clarify specific protest policies.

Students at IC Imagine Public Charter School hold walkout to protest ICE

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Another group of students from a western North Carolina school held a walkout Wednesday in protest of recent immigration enforcement operations.

At around 2:30 p.m., students at IC Imagine Public Charter School walked out, holding signs and chanting in support of protecting families. They're not alone: Student-led protests in opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have surged this year, with demonstrations taking place in hundreds of schools across the country.

Many of these protests come in response to the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, both of whom were fatally shot by federal immigration agents.

MORE THAN 100 T.C. ROBERSON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WALK OUT TO PROTEST AGAINST ICE

As walkouts continue across the region, questions remain about how different area school districts are responding and what policies are in place when students leave campus to protest.

Buncombe County Schools recently said in a statement that it relies on its "code of character, conduct, and support" to guide principals. This came after dozens of students at T.C. Roberson High School participated in a walkout during school hours on Feb. 17.

The next day, on Feb. 18, more than 200 students from A.C. Reynolds High School gathered for a walkout and peaceful protest against ICE.

200+ STUDENTS AT A.C. REYNOLDS HIGH SCHOOL LATEST TO HOLD ANTI-ICE WALKOUT IN WNC

Asheville City Schools emphasized that student safety remains its priority, but the district did not provide details on its protest policy and declined an on-camera interview. IC Imagine and Henderson County Schools also declined interviews.

Parents in Henderson County have raised concerns about how a recently planned protest was handled.

Efforts to get additional answers from school leaders are ongoing.