KYLE, Texas — Students in Hays County and Pflugerville walked out of class Tuesday, saying the weekend shooting of a 28-year-old man by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in North Austin intensified their concerns about deportations and the impact of enforcement on local families. Several Hays CISD students gathered outside their schools in the afternoon. Student Ricardo Guerrero said the demonstrations were intended to draw attention to what students viewed as the disproportionate effect of ICE operations on Latino communities. “We find it not fair that ICE is doing this to the Latino community,” Guerrero said. Student Uriel Hernandez said the shooting prompted him to take part in the walkout. He said students wanted to raise awareness about immigration and the possibility that families could be separated. “We don’t want people to lose their family because of immigration and everything,” Hernandez said. “When I heard that he got shot, that’s when I was like, we need to step up and do something and spread awareness that not all immigration should be like this.” Dozens of students in Pflugerville also participated. Madeline Beiza said she was concerned about people being deported despite, in her view, posing no threat to others. “They’re deporting innocent people who haven’t done anything to them or anyone,” Beiza said. The demonstrations took place as federal officials continued defending ICE activity in Austin. The Department of Homeland Security said the agency would continue its operations and described its role as enforcing immigration laws passed by Congress. Hays CISD Superintendent Eric Wright addressed the walkouts in a letter to parents. He said the district recognized the seriousness of the issue and the strong emotions surrounding it, but expressed concern that students leaving class would strain school and community resources. Students who were not signed out by their parents would receive unexcused absences, the district said. The consequences could also include losing exemption status for final exams and other disciplinary measures. Despite the risks, students said they planned to keep speaking out. Guerrero summarized the message students wanted to send: “We just want ICE out.”