Photo: Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Student Walkouts Spark Showdown Between Abbott and School Districts
What began as a student-led protest against federal immigration enforcement has exploded into a full-blown political crisis in Texas, with Governor Greg Abbott threatening to strip funding from schools and dismantle locally elected school boards.
Over the past week, thousands of students across the Austin metropolitan area have walked out of their classrooms to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations and the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by immigration agents in Minneapolis. The demonstrations have triggered an unprecedented response from state leadership, setting up a clash over student rights, local control, and the role of schools in political activism.
The Protests Spread Across Central Texas
The walkouts began with a national day of action on Friday, January 30, when students from 14 Austin ISD campuses left their classes. But the movement gained momentum this week, spreading to school districts throughout Central Texas.
On Monday, February 3, the protests reached their peak. Several hundred students from five Hays CISD campuses—Hays High, Live Oak Academy High, Johnson High, Lehman High, and Barton Middle School—marched together to downtown Kyle. In Pflugerville, students from all five high schools participated. Walkouts also occurred in Manor ISD, Lockhart ISD, Bastrop ISD, and at Glenn High School in Leander ISD, where students gathered at Robin Bledsoe Park carrying signs that read “Stop Deportations” and “Abolish ICE.”
The protests continued Wednesday, even after the Texas Education Agency issued harsh new guidance threatening districts with state takeover. Students at Leander High School, Elgin High School, Haltom High School in Birdville ISD, and Hurst Junior High walked out despite the warnings.
What’s Driving the Protests
Students say they’re demonstrating against ICE operations and, more specifically, the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti—both U.S. citizens killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis during “Operation Metro Surge” last month.
Good was shot on January 7 while in her vehicle. Pretti, an ICU nurse, was killed on January 24 during a protest against immigration enforcement. Their deaths have become a rallying cry for students across the country who see them as symbols of overreach in immigration enforcement.
Abbott Goes on the Offensive
Governor Abbott wasted no time responding to the walkouts—and his reaction has been anything but measured.
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
After two students were arrested during the Kyle protest on Monday, Abbott took to social media with a pointed message:
It’s about time students like this were arrested. Harming someone is a crime — even for students.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) February 3, 2026
Disruptive walkouts allowed by schools lead to just this kind of chaos.
Schools and staff who allow this behavior should be treated as co-conspirators and should not be…
There was just one problem: Kyle Police quickly clarified that the arrests had nothing to do with the walkout itself. The charges involved alcohol possession and assault—separate incidents entirely.
Undeterred, Abbott escalated his rhetoric, threatening to “strip the funding of schools that abandon their duty to teach our kids the curriculum required by law.” He went further, calling for schools and staff who allow protests to be treated as “co-conspirators” who should not be immune from criminal behavior.
TEA Issues Stern Warning
On Tuesday, the Texas Education Agency backed up the governor’s threats with official guidance that sent shockwaves through school districts statewide.
The TEA warned that districts could face state takeover if they “facilitate” student walkouts. The consequences outlined in the guidance include:
- Students must be marked absent, causing schools to lose daily attendance funding
- Teachers who facilitate walkouts could face investigation and potential license revocation
- Districts could face state-appointed oversight, including the replacement of locally elected school boards with state-appointed boards of managers
It’s a threat that carries real weight. State takeovers of school districts are rare but not unheard of in Texas, and the loss of local control is something communities fiercely resist.
School Districts Caught in the Middle
School officials find themselves in an impossible position: unable to physically prevent students from leaving campus, yet facing severe penalties from the state if they don’t.
Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura explained the district’s dilemma, stating that staff cannot physically prevent students from leaving campus. He noted that school resource officers remained with students during the protests for safety reasons—not to endorse the demonstrations.
All participating districts have maintained they did not endorse or enable the protests and that students received unexcused absences. But that hasn’t satisfied state officials.
The protests have also created real safety concerns. In Hays CISD, a 12-year-old boy from Simon Middle School got lost during Tuesday’s protest and walked five-and-a-half miles before finding another campus.
The district also placed a teacher on administrative leave after pictures circulated showing him with profane protest signs at a demonstration; officials said he “will not be returning to work.”
In Buda on Monday, a physical altercation broke out between an adult man and juveniles during the walkout. A 45-year-old man was arrested and described by police as “the primary aggressor.” Buda police say they have new information about what led to that incident. Chad Michael Watts is facing two counts of assault causing bodily injury. The charges are Class A misdemeanors.
Attorney General Joins the Fray
Not to be left out, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched his own investigation into the protests. On Monday, Paxton’s office requested documents from Austin ISD regarding student leave policies and internal communications during the protests, accusing district officials of encouraging student participation.
The move adds another layer of legal pressure on districts already struggling to navigate the crisis.
Democrats Push Back
Democratic officials have criticized the state’s aggressive approach, arguing it’s making a volatile situation even more dangerous.
This week, students across Central Texas, including from Austin ISD, walked out of class to protest recent actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We should take a moment to reflect on that. pic.twitter.com/qTfh2Ak7Da
— Rep. Vikki Goodwin (@VikkiGoodwinTX) February 4, 2026
State Representative Erin Zwiener didn’t mince words: “Abbott’s threats to schools are only making protests less safe for students.”
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra echoed similar concerns about the state’s response.
The criticism highlights a fundamental tension in how the protests are being handled. By threatening schools with draconian consequences, critics argue, state officials are incentivizing districts to take a hands-off approach that could actually compromise student safety.
Where Things Stand Now
As of today, the situation remains in flux. Student walkouts continue despite the state’s warnings. Multiple investigations are underway. And school districts across Texas are bracing for potential funding cuts and state intervention.
The conflict has exposed deep fault lines in Texas politics—between state and local authority, between competing visions of student rights, and between different approaches to immigration enforcement and protest.
Even if these student walk out protests are being led by students, they are 100% being facilitated by the school and encouraged by teachers and administrators.
— AmericanPapaBear™ (@AmericaPapaBear) February 4, 2026
Rather than using these kids as political pawns, how about you get them reading at grade level instead! pic.twitter.com/9A2GMwOPYY
Children are actually being celebrated by the left for walking out of school and protesting against law enforcement.
— One Bad Dude (@OneBadDude_) February 3, 2026
Things sure have changed since I was in high school.
These kids are being taken advantage of by adults.
It’s always about the sick agenda and they will use… pic.twitter.com/0qKEXpUXoN
For now, school administrators are walking a tightrope, trying to keep students safe while satisfying increasingly aggressive demands from Austin. Students, meanwhile, show no signs of backing down, continuing to organize and walk out despite the mounting pressure.
The Minneapolis shootings that sparked these protests may have occurred hundreds of miles away, but their impact is being felt acutely in Central Texas classrooms—and in the state Capitol. How this standoff resolves will likely have lasting implications for student activism, local school governance, and the balance of power between Texas communities and their state government.
One thing is certain: in the escalating battle between Governor Abbott and student protesters, Texas school districts have become the unwilling battleground.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as the situation continues to unfold.
How the Austin Police Department interacts with ICE is under review. Austin’s Public Safety Commission unanimously recommended more clarity in how police officers get involved with immigration enforcement operations.
PODCASTS
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said Immigration and Customs Enforcement needs to “recalibrate” its tactics, and he isn’t the only member of the Texas GOP to comment on the operations and the rhetoric around it. The messaging comes a few weeks before early voting begins in the Texas primaries ahead of the midterms.
(Episode from February 4, 2026)
The White House announces 700 of its nearly 3,000 agents will be leaving Minneapolis, while Congress begins debating conditions for DHS funding.
Austin City Council meets today for it Regular Meeting.
Austin City Council – February 5, 2026
Meeting begins at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall
Proclamations (9:00 a.m.)
Council members will recognize several causes and observances, including youth mental health and violence prevention, science and engineering education, American Heart Association Wear Red Day, Mexican American Heritage Day, and Whip My Soul Day.
Consent Agenda (Items 1–47)
Most routine business is expected to be approved in one motion unless pulled for discussion. Major themes include:
Budget & Financial Actions
- Multiple budget amendments for Arts & Culture, Parks & Recreation, and Public Health.
- Approval of major capital and service contracts, including:
- $138M Williamson Creek Wastewater Interceptor construction
- $18M airport passenger processing system
- $160M citywide insurance broker contract
- Infrastructure, utilities, IT, and training contracts across departments
Grants & Public Safety
- Approval of numerous state and federal grant applications, largely focused on:
- Austin Police Department (crime lab, bomb squad training, bullet-resistant vehicle components, sexual assault evidence testing, mental health, survivor support)
- Citywide cybersecurity improvements
- Truancy prevention and public health initiatives
Housing
- Council support for six separate applications for 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits, covering proposed affordable housing developments across multiple districts.
Parks, Transportation & Infrastructure
- $17.6M added for parkland acquisition and development
- Long-term concession contract for Zilker Park boat rentals
- Support for Travis County roadway corridor plans
- Maintenance agreements with TxDOT for state highways
Council Policy Items
- Changes to City Auditor provisions and creation of a Comprehensive Efficiency Assessment
- Fee waivers for the 2026 Austin Sunshine Run
- Resolution advancing a “Green Social Housing” policy focused on affordability and sustainability
Non-Consent Items & Public Hearings
Annexation / Disannexation
- Disannexation of a small tract in District 8
- Proposed annexation of Ross Road right-of-way in District 2
Land Use & Development (Afternoon Hearings)
- Height and zoning changes for East 11th & 12th Street Urban Renewal area
- Rezoning cases including:
- IH-35 industrial rezoning
- Goodnight Ranch PUD amendment
- Major downtown and central Austin rezonings (Red River, 6th & Lamar)
Public Communication
Residents are scheduled to speak on topics including:
- DOJ investigation of the City’s Equity Office
- Road safety concerns
- APD collaboration with ICE
- Surveillance technology
- Wastewater infrastructure impacts on parkland
- University Neighborhood Overlay issues
Economic Development
- Incentive agreements tied to job creation with:
- 3billion US, Inc.
- Base Power Company (up to ~500 jobs)
Final Council Items
- Direction to draft an ordinance regulating City use of surveillance technology
- Nomination to the Travis Central Appraisal District Board
- Adjournment
A letter sent to Austin City Council members and the mayor from AFSCME Local 1624 — the city’s labor union — raises concerns about an item that was on today’s agenda before being postponed.
According to a recent Austin American-Statesman analysis, some Austin Police officers make double their base pay in overtime, earning them more than their boss, Chief Lisa Davis. (Austin American-Statesman)
Austin police are seeking the public’s help with two cases involving a hit-and-run.
Police are also looking for a car thief.
A shooting was reported overnight.
Round Rock authorities have arrested a special education instructor on charges of sexual assault involving a student.
Capitol Area Crime Stoppers is looking for a man wanted on aggravated assault charges.
The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2027, pending government and shareholder approval.
WEATHER
WEDNESDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Hays County is asking municipal providers, water supply corporations and groundwater districts to follow Stage 4 water restrictions as the region faces continued drought conditions.
In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Houston, former Texas A&M lecturer Melissa McCoul alleges administrators knowingly violated her free speech and due process rights to appease political critics. She was fired over a gender identity lesson. (Texas Tribune)
Texas has its first Inspector General for Educator Misconduct. (Texas Scorecard)
The controversial school voucher program launched in Texas Wednesday, with over 20,000 signups on its first day.
A federal district judge on Wednesday declared a 2021 law restricting state investments in companies boycotting the fossil fuel industry unconstitutional, calling it “facially overbroad” and citing First and Fourteenth Amendment concerns. (Texas Tribune)
Former congressman Colin Allred, a former U.S. Senate candidate who dropped out of this year’s Senate race in December, publicly lambasted Senate candidate James Talarico, accusing him of referring to Allred as a “mediocre Black man.” Allred said he hadn’t planned to get involved in the race but ultimately endorsed U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
Meanwhile, Talarico dropped his Super Bowl ad this morning.
Another Texas political feud happening is between Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton is looking to unseat Cornyn in the March 3 Texas primary.
Their war of words on social media contines.
New generations of Americans are taking to the street in protest, demanding change and accountability. And they are discovering what protestors of the 1960s and ’70s found out— protesting is hard, frustrating and requires sacrifice. But protest songs can help. Songs demanding freedom and justice go back generations and are also being composed today. We hear from Stephen Stacks about his new book The Resounding Revolution: Freedom Song After 1968.
(Episode from February 4, 2026)
The Texas Department of Public Safety arrested a Nicaraguan immigrant for human smuggling and detained a Chinese national during a traffic stop in Maverick County.
In other DPS news…
A federal jury has awarded more than $1.6 million in combined damages after finding that the Texas Department of Public Safety subjected two employees to race-based harassment and retaliated against one of them for complaining about discrimination. (KXAN-TV)
Texas DPS officials are on the lookout for one of their Top Ten Most Wanted.
Hamilton County Sheriff Jason Bradley Boulton was arrested by the Texas Rangers and booked into Coryell County Jail.
He is facing charges of tampering with government records, abuse of official capacity, failure to report a felony and false statement to law enforcement. (KWTX-TV)
A 40-year-old man from Mont Belvieu, about 30 miles east of Houston, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud for his role in a Ponzi-style investment scheme. (FOX 7 Austin)
Two San Antonio men were arrested Tuesday on criminal charges related to their alleged conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
A massive sinkhole on I-10 in Houston expected to cause traffic nightmare into today.
SPORTS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Texas completed its 2026 recruiting class Wednesday by signing defensive tackle Elijah Ali from Downey, Calif.
Meanwhile, team officials announced on Wednesday that the football program’s spring game will return this year.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Aden Holloway scored 20 points, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with about a minute left, and Alabama outlasted Texas A&M 100-97 on Wednesday night. (Associated Press)
Kingston Flemings had 18 points and six assists, Chris Cenac Jr. added 14 points and 10 rebounds, and No. 8 Houston beat Central Florida 79-55 on Wednesday night. (Associated Press)
NBA: Derrick White made six 3-pointers and scored 28 points and the Boston Celtics used a big third quarter to build the lead and cruise to a 114-93 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. (Associated Press)
ON THE SCHEDULE
Houston plays again tonight hosting Charlotte while the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs meet in the Big D.
NHL: Make it six in a row for the Dallas Stars.
Stars captain Jamie Benn snapped a 15-game goal drought by scoring twice, including the game-winner with 23 seconds left, and Dallas beat the St. Louis Blues 5-4 on Wednesday night to go into the Olympic break with a six-game winning streak. (NBC Sports)
The National Hockey League goes on an extended break for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The Stars return to action February 25.
Enjoy a mesmerizing look at the starry skies over Texas.
