Students Across North Texas Walk Out Over ICE Protests

State threatens consequences for districts as students demonstrate against immigration enforcement

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Student walkouts over immigration enforcement continued across North Texas on Wednesday, with dozens of students leaving class to protest ICE. The growing demonstrations are raising questions about free speech, school discipline, and potential consequences from the state, as the Texas Education Agency warned school districts they could face investigations or even a loss of funding over student walkouts and protests.

Why it matters

The student protests highlight the ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement and the rights of students to engage in political expression during school hours. The state's threats against school districts for allowing the walkouts add a new layer of complexity, as educators must balance student free speech, classroom management, and pressure from state officials.

The details

At Birdville ISD, students at Haltom High School walked out, saying they were speaking up for people they believe are living in fear of deportation. Later in the afternoon, at least 70 students walked out of Hurst Junior High in HEB ISD. District officials said students involved will receive unexcused absences and could face disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis. The Texas Education Agency warned school districts they could face investigations or even a loss of funding over student walkouts and protests, following similar threats from Gov. Greg Abbott, who has criticized districts for allowing demonstrations during instructional time.

  • On Wednesday, students across North Texas walked out of class to protest ICE.
  • On Tuesday, the Texas Education Agency warned school districts they could face consequences for allowing student walkouts.

The players

Texas Education Agency

The state agency that oversees public education in Texas and issued warnings to school districts about potential consequences for student walkouts.

Gov. Greg Abbott

The governor of Texas who has criticized school districts for allowing student demonstrations during instructional time and threatened potential consequences.

Texas Classroom Teachers Association

An organization representing teachers in Texas that said the situation places educators in a difficult position, balancing student expression, classroom management, and state pressure.

Julie Leahy

A representative of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association who expressed concern about the new challenges facing teachers due to the involvement of state leaders.

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What they’re saying

“We've never seen a situation where the governor has threatened to do something like this, and so we are, we're not certain what that would actually look like in the event that the governor were to do that.”

— Julie Leahy, Texas Classroom Teachers Association (CBS News)

“When you have to add that additional element of, you know, are we doing the correct thing as far as the governor's perception and TEA's perception is concerned, that just adds a whole new element that really is not something that we've seen in the past.”

— Julie Leahy, Texas Classroom Teachers Association (CBS News)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.