HOUSTON -- A group of Houston middle school students marched on City Hall Wednesday, protesting a proposed immigration law that would make it a felony for illegal immigrants to be in the United States, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.

The students voice their concern over the growing debate in Washington concerning three proposed immigration reform bills.

More than 50 students from Marshall Middle School did not immediately show up for class Wednesday morning. Instead they showed up the reflection pond by City Hall. The protest was not as large Tuesday's protest at City Hall and ended before 11 a.m.

"We're here to support our parents and help people that need help," one of the students said, referring to people who are in the United States illegally.

The U.S. Senate is debating whether or not to pass House Bill 4478, which would make it a felony for immigrants to be in the United States illegally. The bill also makes it a crime to give aid to an illegal immigrant.

"We are going to be affected by it because if this rule comes out, we have parents from Mexico," the student said.

The students ended their protest by wading in the reflection pond before getting on two Houston Independent School District buses to go back to class.

Sylvia Lopez, the mother of one of the students who protested, said she was not upset that her daughter missed her first classes.

"I am proud of my daughter because she is here. That means she cares about what is going on. I don't have to explain it to her. I don't have to tell her what's going on … she understood that," Lopez said.

School officials said the students would receive an unexcused absence for missing class.

Galena Park Students Rally At Football Stadium

Several students in Galena Park held a rally at their school's football stadium Wednesday morning.

During the third day of students protesting for the rights of immigrants, students like George Aguilar want to set the record straight.

"The news is saying that we are just walking, looking dumb, talking about we don't know where we are going. We know what we are doing. We are standing up for our beliefs so we can stay and get a better education, and so our future children can have a better life," Aguilar said.

Unlike previous protests, there was not a long march for students at North Shore High School. The student protesters were corralled into the Galena Park Independent School District stadium and kept there.

"Now, they are treating us like dogs. They won't let anybody out. They don't want to hear us out. They think we are playing," a student told KPRC Local 2.

Parents were allowed to pick up their students and return them to school without an absence.

The parents who KPRC Local 2 spoke with said they support their children's actions.

"They are voicing their opinions. The kids … they are no different than us. They may not know exactly how to do it but this is the only way they know how," one parent said.

By 11:15 a.m., about 30 students were left at the stadium.

Houston-Area Students Face Discipline For Walk Outs

School districts began taking tough disciplinary action against students who continued to walk out of class Wednesday in protest of proposed changes to immigration law.

Houston Independent School Districtspokesman Terry Abbott said the students face up to three days of suspension and could be removed from school. He said the absences are considered unexcused, and students only get three each semester.

"If they get more than that, they don't get credit for their classes, so it could affect the promotion of students from grade to grade, and ultimately their ability to graduate on time," Abbott said.

To read HISD Superintendent Abe Saavedra's full statement, click here.

Students in the Houston-area school districts of Alvin, Katy and Baytown also held smaller marches on Wednesday.

Officials with the Alvin and Katy school districts said students who continued to protest would receive in-school suspensions or have to attend Saturday classes.

Seniors in Katy who participated would not be allowed to attend their senior trip, officials said.

Officials with the Aldine Independent School District said they would begin issuing citations and sending students to the Student Alternative Center.

Cypress-Fairbanks students will be considered truant, while students in the Fort Bend Independent School District will be sent to Saturday school.

City Leaders Divided On Protests

Local politicians at Houston's City Hall were divided on the student protests.

During a City Council meeting on Tuesday, Democratic state Rep. Rick Noriega showed his support for the students and the message they are trying to convey.

"Though their tactics may not be structured, their intent is as patriotic as the Boston Tea Party," Noriega said.

However, Councilman Michael Berry felt the students were being used as political pawns.

"Usually we see professional protesters down here -- people hired to protest on behalf of some cause. Now, I guess they are going to use school kids. That's highly inappropriate. Those kids need to be in school," Berry said.

Councilwoman Carol Alvarado said she supports the students' message but said they should be in school.