Texas Governor Criticizes School Walkouts Over ICE Protests

Abbott cites youth alcohol arrests, but police say they're unrelated to demonstrations

Feb. 4, 2026 at 1:15am

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Texas Governor Greg Abbott has expressed his displeasure with widespread school walkouts protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), linking to a story about two minors arrested at a school walkout in Kyle. However, the Kyle Police Department stated the arrests were unrelated to the walkout activity. Abbott's comments have drawn criticism from state lawmakers, who accuse him of using the incident to attack student protesters across the state.

Why it matters

The governor's comments highlight the ongoing tensions between state leadership and public schools over student protests against ICE policies. The situation in Hays CISD, where the walkout occurred, also involves a viral video of a counter-protester allegedly assaulting students, raising concerns about the safety and rights of student demonstrators.

The details

In response to the walkouts, Hays CISD Superintendent Eric Wright sent a letter to parents outlining new rules to prevent further protests, including requiring parental permission for students to participate and potential disciplinary action. The Texas Education Agency also issued a directive warning of consequences for schools, teachers, and students involved in walkouts, including loss of funding and teacher licensure revocation.

  • On Tuesday morning, Gov. Greg Abbott shared a story about the arrests on social media.
  • On Tuesday evening, Hays CISD Superintendent Eric Wright sent a letter to parents about the protests.
  • On Tuesday evening, the Texas Education Agency released guidance on how school districts should handle future walkouts.

The players

Gov. Greg Abbott

The Republican governor of Texas who has criticized the school walkouts protesting ICE.

Erin Zwiener

A Democratic state representative from Hays County who has accused Abbott of using the Hays CISD incident to attack public schools.

Eric Wright

The superintendent of Hays CISD who sent a letter to parents outlining new rules to prevent further walkouts.

Texas Education Agency

The state agency that issued a directive warning of consequences for schools, teachers, and students involved in walkouts.

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What they’re saying

“It's about time students like this were arrested. Harming someone is a crime — even for students. 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 immune for criminal behavior.”

— Gov. Greg Abbott (Twitter)

“The Governor is still choosing to take this moment of one high school student making a bad decision and trying to use that to attack student protesters across the state. I am sick of Governor Abbott using Hays CISD as a prop in his attack on public schools.”

— Erin Zwiener, State Representative, Hays County (borderreport.com)

“A grown man picking a fight with teenage girls is an incident I find far more concerning than a teenager having contraband and making a bad decision when a law enforcement officer asked them to get rid of it. I really would like to call on the Governor to help tone down the rhetoric and don't set up other of his followers to come out and attack teenagers.”

— Erin Zwiener, State Representative, Hays County (borderreport.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the two arrested students out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between state leadership and public schools over student protests, with the governor using a minor alcohol-related arrest to criticize the broader walkouts. It raises concerns about the safety and rights of student demonstrators, as well as the potential consequences schools and teachers could face for allowing or facilitating such protests.