Photo: Patricia Lim / KUT 90.5
Austin Students Walk Out in Solidarity: ICE Protests Spark Debate Over Classroom Activism
Hundreds of students across Austin ISD walked out of their classrooms Friday as part of a nationwide day of action protesting federal immigration enforcement. The demonstrations, which culminated in an evening rally at the Texas State Capitol, have ignited a fierce debate about student activism during school hours.
Students from 14 Austin ISD campuses participated in walkouts, including McCallum High School, Crockett High School, and Eastside Early College High School. Many marched to the Capitol for a 5:30 p.m. rally, holding signs against Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
“This is bigger than school. School’s still gonna be there.” — Eastside Early College student
The scene outside Crockett HS in Austin this morning. Hundreds of students walked out of class to protest ICE enforcement. @cbsaustin pic.twitter.com/gTVBSUXoZ3
— Andrew Lamparski (@andrewlamparski) January 30, 2026
For many participants, the demonstrations were deeply personal, with students citing fears that their classmates’ families could be directly affected by immigration enforcement.
Another anti-ICE protest happening now at ACC Highland. This group is marching around campus chanting, “ICE is not welcome here.”@cbsaustin pic.twitter.com/lXReGLhVFD
— Andrew Lamparski (@andrewlamparski) January 30, 2026
Students are now marching from the UT Tower to the Texas Capitol as part of today’s “ICE out” protest.@cbsaustin pic.twitter.com/PlYmx5fYi1
— Farrah Walton (@FarrahWaltonTV) January 30, 2026
What Sparked the Protests
The demonstrations were triggered by fatal shootings of two American citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis. Renée Good, a mother, was killed by an ICE agent on January 7, and Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents on January 24 while observing federal operations.
These incidents occurred during Operation Metro Surge, which federal officials described as the largest immigration enforcement operation ever conducted. The operation has drawn widespread criticism for aggressive tactics and detention of U.S. citizens, creating fear in immigrant communities and prompting students nationwide to take action.
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The Backlash
The walkouts drew sharp criticism from Texas officials. Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Education Commissioner to investigate Austin ISD, stating on social media that the district gets taxpayer dollars to teach required subjects, not to help students skip school to protest.
I have directed the Education Commissioner to investigate this.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 31, 2026
AISD gets taxpayer dollars to teach the subjects required by the state, not to help students skip school to protest.
Our schools are for educating our children, not political indoctrination.
This is one of many… https://t.co/lhymqT0d2B
Abbott characterized the situation as “political indoctrination” and cited it as one reason Austin ISD is losing students. His post sparked heated online debate about schools’ appropriate role when students organize political demonstrations.
Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura emphasized that the protests were entirely student-led and not sponsored or endorsed by the district. Students who left campus received unexcused absences, following standard attendance protocols.
This is not an Austin ISD event and any presence of Austin ISD Police is for the safety of students during the school day.
— Austin ISD (@AustinISD) January 30, 2026
Our students are exercising their first amendment right and parents have been notified. Any absences will not be excused. https://t.co/NV31W9XHdJ
An email sent to parents from Austin ISD:
Austin ISD shared this letter from the McCallum HS principal today.
— Andrew Lamparski (@andrewlamparski) January 30, 2026
“It is important to note that this event is not sponsored or endorsed by the school.”
Students participating in the walkout will still be marked absent. @cbsaustin https://t.co/MsIV0nSSNj pic.twitter.com/FcBYJHyctj
Online reactions split sharply. Supporters argued that civic engagement is crucial to education and praised students for exercising their First Amendment rights on issues affecting their communities. Critics contended that school time should be reserved for academic instruction and questioned whether districts did enough to discourage participation during class hours.
We have a history of non-violent protest in the USA, and the Austin walk out over ICE is definitely part of that.
— SecondAmendment (@SecondAmendment) January 31, 2026
In that regard, I do support what they did.
However, exercising one's right often comes with consequences. These students should be given unexcused absences.
The controversy underscores ongoing tensions about student activism, school authority, and young people’s role in political movements. As the investigation proceeds, Austin finds itself at the center of a national conversation about where education ends and political expression begins.
Friday evening, demonstrators marched from the Capitol down Congress Avenue, turned onto Seventh Street to San Jacinto Boulevard, before returning to the Capitol.
NOW: A thousand people march through Austin, TX as part of the anti-ICE nationwide shutdown. pic.twitter.com/0j64Gc48Ub
— BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) January 31, 2026
Protesters against ICE are leaving capitol grounds in Austin and marching down Congress. Cars that were blocked are turning around. @KXAN_News pic.twitter.com/U3rzWmrdCo
— Nabil Brent Remadna KXAN (@RemadnaKXAN) January 31, 2026
The protesters have now made it to 6th street and have stopped. Traffic has been diverted down San Jacinto. @KXAN_News pic.twitter.com/KXr1u2LvOv
— Nabil Brent Remadna KXAN (@RemadnaKXAN) January 31, 2026
Protesters gathered for a third night outside the Hyatt Regency Austin as part of a multi-day demonstration tied to immigration enforcement and the death of ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
Travis County Democrats gathered Friday morning at Festival Beach park to send a clear message.
Many Austin businesses took park in a National Shutdown yesterday in solidarity with the community.
Many businesses posted messages like these:
Immigration arrests were reported early Friday on North Lamar at Braker Lane.
Reports of ICE presence in Hutto Friday. An arrest was made on 79 near 130. The driver was stopped by immigration agents who arrived at the scene. There were reports of other arrests on the same 79 towards Round Rock.
A pedestrian is dead, and police are without a suspect, after a deadly crash on the I-35 service road in downtown Austin overnight on Saturday.
As of 7:00 a.m. this morning, the roadway was clear and open.
Austin firefighters responded to a blaze at The Palms Apartments on North Lamar just after 3:00 a.m. this morning.
From Reporte Austin:
SWAT elements at the MAA Wells Branch apartment complex Friday night for an alleged domestic violence case, in which one of the people refusing to turn in. Witnesses at the scene tell us that there are helicopters and drones assisting in the attempt to arrest. The complex is in the area of Wells Branch and Interstate 35. Avoid the area.
APD is looking for a car thief.
The Manor Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred early Friday morning.
Crime Watch from FOX 7 Austin:
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Two years have passed since 14-year-old Treysuhr Carter was found lying unconscious on a residential street just blocks from her Northeast Austin home. After police determined Carter’s death was an accident, a KXAN Investigation revealed missteps in the investigation – including failing to gather key evidence at the scene, prompting police to re-open the investigation. This week on Inside the Investigation, Senior Investigative Producer David Barer explains why, after second review, the case is closed and cleared with no charge.
Bee Cave police are investigating after someone made a bomb threat to the International School of Texas on State Highway 71.
New Braunfels authorities said law enforcement officials from multiple agencies responded to reports of a gun on school grounds at Canyon Middle School. A lockdown was ordered. All students and staff are safe and no injuries were reported. (Austin American-Statesman)
In his latest Watson Wire, Mayor Kirk Watson talks more about a reform to Austin’s financial deliberations—a “decision tree”.
Latest #WatsonWire: Planting a Decision Tree. Austin is a growing, successful city. To continue and enhance that success, we need investment that, among other things, improves our quality of life, benefits our economy, and reduces maintenance costs on aging infrastructure. Such… pic.twitter.com/LItddjLb29
— Mayor Kirk Watson (@KirkPWatson) January 29, 2026
@JenRobichaux on X says the city is clarifying its guidelines on the use of Artificial Intelligence.
The City's Chief Information Officer sent a memo to the Mayor and City Council responding to a council resolution asking for rules and plans around AI use by the city. The report covers topics like guidelines, worker impacts, environment, and fair access to tech.
— Jen Robichaux (@JenRobichaux) January 31, 2026
Full report 🧵 pic.twitter.com/pUz7Snixvb
Cold weather shelters in Austin were open to those in need last and will open again tonight.
The new Wishbone Bridge at Longhorn Dam opens next weekend.
Phase 1 of the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative started on Friday and won’t wrap up until next year.
A new set of toll lanes have opened on northbound 183 in Austin. These lanes allow commuters to bypass several exits, including Loop 360, Great Hills Trail, and Breaker Lane. The toll pricing is dynamic.
A reminder for air travelers about an important deadline.
📢HEY, TRAVELERS! Starting Feb. 1, if you don’t have a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID (like a passport) for domestic flights, you may have to pay a $45 fee to verify your identity through @TSA.
— Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (@AustinAirport) January 28, 2026
Learn more about the Real ID policy at https://t.co/wHFFKrYi9V https://t.co/HzlL9mIWDh
A small jet veered off the runway at Austin Executive Airport last night.
REMINDER
Lago Vista and Lake Travis area residents are invited to learn about volunteering for wildfire training.
And for weather enthusiasts in general, the National Weather Service is offering training on the dangers of severe weather events, staying informed and prevention.
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AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
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5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is condemning Gov. Greg Abbott’s call for the Texas Attorney General to effectively “eliminate” the group’s operations in Texas.
Long accustomed to rapid growth, Texas saw the overall number of people moving from other states sink to its lowest level in two decades, census estimates show. (New York Times)
Texas A&M University says it is canceling six courses after reviewing over 5,400 course syllabi to ensure they meet Texas A&M System policies on curriculum.
🚨MASSIVE/BREAKING: TEXAS A&M FINALLY SHUTS DOWN "GENDER STUDIES" PROGRAM! After years of pressure and exposing that department's woke agenda, I'm proud to have delivered yet another massive conservative victory for Texas taxpayers against transgender indoctrination!
— Brian Harrison (@brianeharrison) January 30, 2026
In the…
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick issued an initial list of interim charges for Texas Senate committees to pursue ahead of the next legislative session next year.
My statement announcing the first round of the 2026 Interim Charges to the Texas Senate: https://t.co/9S3z7u0NXd #txlege pic.twitter.com/RPN9uKMqzG
— Office of the Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (@LtGovTX) January 30, 2026
America and Texas appear to be awakening to the fact that the nightmare of authoritarianism is no longer a dream – it’s the real deal. We’re joined this week by Richardson City Council Member and CD 32 congressional candidate Dan Barrios to discuss the events of yet another week that felt like a year.
(Episode from January 30, 2026)
With national attention focused on the tactics of immigration enforcement, a concern is growing among Texas Republicans about the political fallout.
We’re still months away for an important midterm election. But this weekend, voters in one part of Texas will be picking their representative to Congress. Andrew Schneider of Houston Public Media brings us the backstory of the race to replace the late Sylvester Turner.
A new order from Gov. Abbott on H-1B visas has many institutions of higher education in Texas are concerned about the impact.
And the comedy show where bombing is just the beginning. Those stories, the week in politics and more.
(Episode from January 30, 2026)
Texas local governments come in all sizes, but is there a “right” size?
(Episode from January 29, 2026)
Texas is giving SNAP recipients more time to apply for replacement benefits if they lost their food due to the winter storm.
The City of Dallas says they have notified the Texas Department of Transportation that all non-compliant pavement markings will be removed within 90 days of Friday, Jan. 30. The move comes after the city was given a final order to submit a plan of compliance by today. (FOX 7 Austin)
SPORTS
Game 22: TEXAS (12-9, 3-5 SEC) at Oklahoma (11-10, 1-7 SEC)
Three other games of note today:
NBA: After a day off, it’s back to the courts for Dallas, San Antonio and Houston.
NHL: The Dallas Stars will try and win back-to-back games with a contest in Utah tonight.
The story of Fort Parker is one of the most interesting in Texas history.
