Overview

Arkansas saw significant community opposition to ICE enforcement in early 2026, centered on student walkouts in Little Rock and Fayetteville in February and massive No Kings protests in March. This resistance emerged despite — or because of — the state’s aggressive enforcement posture under Act 654 and the 2,600+ arrests in 2025.

Student Walkouts (February 2026)

February 5-8, 2026: Little Rock and Central Arkansas

• Little Rock Central High School: Students walked out at 2:20 PM, marched to the Arkansas State Capitol with Little Rock Police escort
• Parkview High School: Students walked down John Barrow Road starting 2:25 PM
• eStem High School (East Little Rock): ~100 students gathered in courtyard (Wednesday)
• North Little Rock High School: ~300 students participated; district imposed disciplinary action
• Protests continued for 3 consecutive days
• Students chanted against Trump administration immigration policies

Other Schools

• Arkadelphia High School: ~12 students and a parent marched from parking lot (Feb 11, 2026)
• Fayetteville and Springdale: Student walkouts reported

Community Organizing

AIRE (Alliance for Immigrant Respect and Education)

• Volunteer-led group in NW Arkansas
• Manages a hotline for reporting ICE agent sightings
• Launched grocery delivery initiative for immigrants afraid to drive in Springdale
• Education and advocacy: how to interact with law enforcement, set up power of attorney

Arkansas GRITA (Grassroots Initiative for Transparency and Accountability)

• Community-led journalism project launched January 2026
• Editor/researcher: Olivia Paschal
• Tracks 287(g) agreements across Arkansas with weekly data updates
• Mission: “give people the tools they need to hold public officials and the system accountable”

Other Actions

• Solidarity Without Borders rally in Little Rock for immigrant rights
• Community organizer Rosita Lopez: “never seen neighbors band together to support immigrants” like this
• Businesses donated thousands to immigrant advocacy groups after winter storm
• Translation of legal materials into multiple languages

No Kings Protests (March 28, 2026)

• 25,000+ Arkansans participated across the state
• Part of nationwide protests (8 million nationally)
• Immigration enforcement was a central issue alongside broader anti-Trump themes

Sources

• Little Rock students walk out to protest ICE — Arkansas Times (Feb 6, 2026)
• Central Arkansas students stage walkouts protesting ICE — KARK
• Arkansas students continue protests for 3rd day — THV11
• Arkadelphia High School students protest ICE — Arkadelphian (Feb 11, 2026)
• Arkansans organize grassroots initiatives — Arkansas Advocate (Feb 23, 2026)
• 25,000 No Kings protesters rally across Arkansas — KATV
• Protesters rally in Little Rock for immigrant rights — KATV