Young Voices, Hard Power: Austin Students Defy State Officials in Immigration Protests
When Austin area students used their Presidents’ Day holiday to continue protesting ICE operations, they sent a clear message: state investigations won’t silence them.
Monday’s rally at Austin City Hall marked the latest chapter in weeks of demonstrations that began in late January. What started as part of a nationwide shutdown protesting killings by federal immigration agents has evolved into a direct confrontation between young activists and Texas’s most powerful officials.
About 100 students and family members began their rally downtown yesterday and made their way to the State Capitol. The demonstration brought together students from Austin, Hays, Hutto, Pflugerville and other districts who had participated in and organized school walkouts over the past two weeks.
Since January 30, when thousands of students from 14 Austin ISD campuses first walked out, the backlash has been swift. Attorney General Ken Paxton launched investigations into four districts, accusing officials of facilitating protests with taxpayer dollars to promote a “radical political agenda.” Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Education Agency to investigate, claiming “political indoctrination” rather than education.
Districts Under Investigation
- Austin ISD — the first district Paxton targeted in an earlier announcement.
- North East ISD (San Antonio) — newly added to the probe.
- Dallas ISD — cited for allegedly facilitating student walkouts.
- Manor ISD — also accused of failing to keep students safe and accountable during protests.
DALLAS
SAN ANTONIO
The TEA escalated further, warning educators could lose teaching licenses and school boards could be replaced with state-appointed managers. Yet students continued protesting through early February and Presidents’ Day week.
Austin ISD walked a difficult line. Superintendent Matias Segura maintained staff cannot physically prevent students from leaving campus, with police monitoring only for safety. The district implemented protocols limiting monitoring to within 300 feet of campuses.
“We have managed past walkouts by giving students space and freedom to express themselves. However, the number of protests, combined with demonstrations moving off campus, has prompted our leaders to develop more detailed protest protocols to ensure the safety of our students and staff.” — Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura
Have these future voters been dismissed? The answer seems clear. Rather than engaging substantive concerns about immigration enforcement’s community impact, officials responded with investigations and funding threats.
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…
When students organized their Presidents’ Day demonstration on a holiday to prove they weren’t merely skipping school, Abbott’s office declined comment.
Since they can’t skip school on a holiday, predictably very few “students“ showed up to protest ICE today. pic.twitter.com/LrCdoP7bbe
— Brian Phillips (@RealBPhil) February 16, 2026
Students have been articulate about their motivations. Organizer Shaila Garcia explained they scheduled the protest on a holiday so everyone could participate “on their own accord” and show they can “organize this properly, legally, peacefully, and not skip school.” Student Amaris Sanchez framed protests as a message: “This is my time to vote and to make change.”
The irony is striking. Texas officials who champion local control are investigating districts for respecting students’ constitutional rights. Students exercising civic engagement face threats of disciplinary action and district takeovers.
As protests continue despite state pressure, one thing becomes clear: dismissing young activists with investigations may prove a miscalculation. These students are watching, learning, and preparing to vote. They’re unlikely to forget which officials took their concerns seriously—and which didn’t.
(Sources: KUT 90.5, CBS Austin, KXAN-TV, Baltimore Sun, KEYE-TV, Austin American-Statesman, Yahoo! News)
A reminder that schools in the district are closed again today.
In other Austin ISD news, the district is reporting gains in student achievement and narrowing gaps among student demographics.
Meanwhile, the school district has seen enrollment numbers decline.
Early voting opens across Texas today, ahead of the March 3 primary.
Campaigns from both parties fanned out across major metros to greet voters and push last‑minute messages, while election administrators emphasized updated ID requirements and encouraged Texans to check polling locations before heading out. As always, voters should confirm all election information with official county or state sources.
PODCAST
Will this be the year that Texas turns blue? Or is it more likely that Austin turns slightly more red?
Early voting begins today in the run-up to the March 3 Democratic and Republican primaries, which are the precursors for the November midterm elections. And while the big race on everyone’s mind is the Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate, lots of local and statewide races will be on Travis County voters’ ballots, too. In this two-part episode, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by KUT state capital reporter Blaise Gainey and the Austin American-Statesman’s Alex Driggars to get you primary-ready.
KXAN’s Grace Reader and Christopher Adams talk all you need to know going into this election.
For early voting, Williamson County will still have countywide polling. But on March 3, voters must cast their ballots at their assigned precinct polling location.
University of Texas students protested Monday against the news that seven departments within the Liberal Arts college will be consolidated into two academic departments.
The Texas Department of Transportation said there is no concern with the U.S. 290 flyover in North Austin after photos on social media showed a bridge crack. (Austin Americaan-Statesman)
FOX 7 Austin’s Rudy Koski reports on new toll lanes.
ATX THRILL RIDE: new Flyover opens in Austin. Expressway from NB MoPac to NB 183 toll lanes gets a soft opening. It’s a Six Flags worthy ride. Southbound link opening targeted for the end of the month @fox7austin pic.twitter.com/0vqi7pljah
— rudy koski (@KoskionFOX7) February 17, 2026
In other TxDOT news…
A multi-vehicle crash on Texas Highway 71 at Bob Wire Road in South Austin Monday.
(Photos: Reporte Austin via Facebook)
No information was available on possible injuries.
In North Austin Monday, An SUV crashed into a dry-cleaning business.
A bicyclist is saying he is lucky to walk away after a car hit him on South Congress. The crash was caught on camera.
It happened at South Congress and Mary Street last week. The cyclist suffered minor injuries. The driver initially stopped but later fled.
A SWAT call to home near Pflugerville where a person had barricaded themselves inside was canceled last night, according to the Austin Police Department.
At least two shootings were reported in the city Monday.
Shooting in South Austin. Teen with gunshot wound at Gwendolyn Field on Slaughter Lane.
— FrankStrovel (@FrankStrovel) February 17, 2026
18-year-old male, transported to hospital. pic.twitter.com/sSsPlw3MsN
Gunplay all over the #ATX this evening. This one in Manor. Reports of a possible gunshot wound near Manor Road.#Austin pic.twitter.com/px8QBUoDU4
— FrankStrovel (@FrankStrovel) February 17, 2026
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra held a press conference Monday outlining his intention to order a moratorium on the approval of permits for industrial developments that consume large amounts of water.
The county is facing a dire water shortage crisis.
CBS Austin looks back at last summer’s catastrophic floods in the Sandy Creek area of Travis County.
Rising Waters | When Warnings Went Silent
The fire environment for the central and eastern portions of the state has improved fuel dryness due to recent rainfall that occurred over the weekend.
Conversely, Caldwell County authorities have been able to temporarily lift its burn ban.
WEATHER
MONDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
CBS Austin presents:
Five Years After the Freeze: Are We Ready for Tomorrow?
Texas’ power grid came within minutes of total collapse during the deadly February 2021 winter storm.
ERCOT officials later said the system was just four minutes and 37 seconds away from a statewide blackout — in the middle of freezing temperatures.
“You know who is not one of my guests tonight? Texas state representative James Talarico. He was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast.” — Stephen Colbert
“Late Show” host Stephen Colbert tore into his future former employer on Monday night as he accused CBS of caving to FCC threats by spiking his interview with Texas state Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico (D).
Colbert did ultimately interview Talarico on Monday and posted the conversation on his YouTube channel. Colbert said CBS would not allow him to mention the URL of that channel or provide a QR code on-screen with a direct link.
This is the interview Donald Trump didn’t want you to see.
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) February 17, 2026
His FCC refused to air my interview with Stephen Colbert.
Trump is worried we’re about to flip Texas. pic.twitter.com/BCev5jZbKc
Talarico will be back in Austin today for a rally.
Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an email tip line where the public may report suspected violations of Texas election law and issued a legal advisory on election integrity.
NEW: I'm launching an illegal voting tipline to stop unlawful voting ahead of the March primary.
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) February 16, 2026
Under my watch, there will be no stolen elections in Texas. pic.twitter.com/Gpc4q5LD5Y
The family of Don Huffines, a former Republican Texas senator who is now campaigning to become the state’s comptroller, bought the disgraced Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch in New Mexico after the child sex trafficker and molester died. (Texas Tribune)
A federal jury has awarded nearly $1.7 million to two state troopers after finding that the Texas Department of Public Safety racially discriminated against them. (FOX 7 Austin)
Smuggling Scheme Unraveled — Two Children Safely Recovered by Texas DPS Trooper
— Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) February 16, 2026
2/11/26: A @TxDPS Trooper stopped a black Cadillac XT5 on US-90 in Kinney County and uncovered a human smuggling attempt.
During the stop, the driver was found smuggling four illegal immigrants:
•… pic.twitter.com/e5vnKvlAsX
ICE is leasing office space directly across I-10 from UT-San Antonio’s main campus as part of a nationwide facilities surge, Wired reports, citing federal documents. While the building’s leasing broker, CBRE confirmed 27,000 square feet of the space are open for lease, officials wouldn’t say how much ICE is preparing to take over. (San Antonio Current)
Meanwhile, a Dallas County mayor is lauding the reversal of a decision to sell a warehouse to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to serve as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center. (Houston Chronicle)
Learn everything about the most competitive races in Texas from two veteran insiders. Primary day is Tuesday, March 3. Early voting in Texas runs February 17 – 27. Listen to, or watch, Y’all-itics and then go vote!
(Episode from February 16, 2026)
In November 2025, a federal grand jury indicted nine alleged “North Texas antifa cell” operatives with offenses ranging from rioting to attempted murder related to the July 4 attack on an ICE detention center in Alvarado. The trial of nine people accused in the attack is beginning.
Remembrances poured in Monday in honor of Robert Duvall, the Oscar-winning actor known for roles in “Apocalypse Now,” “Lonesome Dove,” Tender Mercies” and as the intrepid consigliere of the first two “Godfather” movies.
Duvall died Sunday at age 95 at his home in Virginia.
The actor had a long history with Texas, filming all or parts of over a half dozen movies in the Lone Star State and continuing to visit when not filming. (Texas Standard)
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: The Texas Longhorns play host to the LSU Tigers tonight in an SEC matchup. (Texas Longhorns)
Game 26: TEXAS (16-9, 7-5 SEC) vs. LSU (14-11, 2-10 SEC)
Meanwhile, Dailyn Swain was named the SEC Co-Player of the Week after dropping 25 points and six rebounds.
HORNS REPORT
Is the Texas men’s basketball squad a NCAA Tournament team?
In the Big 12 last night, the Houston Cougars came up short
Nate Heise hit a go-ahead 3-pointer and Tamin Lipsey came up with an offensive rebound in the final seconds to cap No. 6 Iowa State’s rally in a 70-67 victory over Big 12 leader and second-ranked Houston on Monday night. (Associated Press)
ON THE SCHEDULE TONIGHT
The Texas Tech men’s basketball team bus had a tire slashed after beating #1 Arizona Saturday night in Tucson.
It’s “Spurs Week” in Austin.
The latest episode of The Daytripper finds him in Gatesville, midway between Austin and Fort Worth, a refreshing stop at Rissy’s Sassy Lemonade, serving up bold, ice-cold flavors that are perfect for a Texas day. A visit to a local motorsports business, diner and county museum are also on the itinerary.
