Across Utah, protesters left schools, stood on curbs holding signs, and marched as they chanted to demand reforms to federal immigration enforcement after high-profile raids and shootings have spurred responses across the United States.
The national demonstration was planned to protest the actions of agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The agencies’ agents killed Silverio Villegas González in a Chicago suburb in September, Keith “Pooter” Porter Jr. in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve, and Renee Good and Alex Pretti less than a month apart in Minneapolis.
Students walk out in the morning
Utah students walked out of classes Friday, echoing voices calling for an end to a federal immigration crackdown.
The walkouts were announced and carried out at middle and high schools around the state.
In Midvale at about 10 a.m., hundreds of students walked out of Hillcrest High School, also carrying signs against ICE, and off campus into the community.
Students from Bryant Middle School and the Salt Lake Center for Science Education also marched to the Capitol.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Students walk out of Hillcrest High School in Midvale on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Students from Byant Middle School hold a walkout at the state Capitol in Salt Lake City, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Students walk out of Hillcrest High School in Midvale on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Students walk out of Hillcrest High School in Midvale on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Students walk out of Park City High School in Park City, on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, with one sign that reads “My parents work more than your president.”
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Students walk out of Hillcrest High School in Midvale on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Students from Salt Lake Center for Science Education protest against federal immigration enforcement at the state Capitol in Salt Lake City, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
Afternoon protests draw thousands
Utahns gathered at City Hall and marched in downtown Salt Lake City on Friday afternoon to the U.S. Customs and Immigration Services building blocks away.
In cities across the state, business owners have closed their doors and students have walked out of classes in support of the national effort. Events on Friday and Saturday were also planned in Utah cities that include Ogden, Logan, Price and St. George.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) People attend an anti-ICE protest at City Hall in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) People attend an anti-ICE protest at City Hall in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) People attend an anti-ICE protest at City Hall in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
(Brooke Larsen | The Salt Lake Tribune) People protest ICE and federal immigration policies in downtown St. George on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Protesters gather during a demonstration against ICE and federal immigration policies at City Hall in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Protesters march during a demonstration against ICE and federal immigration policies in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Signs are seen at City Hall during a demonstration against ICE and federal immigration policies in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Demonstrators gather outside the USCIS Salt Lake City Field Office during a protest against ICE and federal immigration policies in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) People inside a car dealership watch as protesters march by during a demonstration against ICE and federal immigration policies in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Protesters march during a demonstration against ICE and federal immigration policies in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.