Texas Student Walkouts Continue as Officials Warn School Districts

Superintendents say the walkouts are not sponsored or endorsed by the districts

Feb. 5, 2026 at 6:47pm

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School walkouts over federal immigration enforcement continued on Thursday across Central Texas, with students from multiple districts including Austin ISD, Hays CISD, Pflugerville, Manor and Bastrop leaving class to protest. The Texas Education Agency has warned that the walkouts could cost districts state funding and lead to educators losing their teaching licenses.

Why it matters

The student protests highlight ongoing tensions over federal immigration policies, with students seeking to voice their concerns and support vulnerable members of their communities. The response from state officials underscores the political nature of the issue and the potential consequences for school districts caught in the middle.

The details

On Thursday, students at Austin ISD's Bedichek Middle School and IDEA Rundberg College Preparatory walked out of class, holding signs and chanting on sidewalks and overpasses. Students said they were protesting ICE deportations and the "crazy violence" happening in the world. As the walkouts spread, the Texas Education Agency warned that they could cost districts state funding and lead to educators being investigated and disciplined.

  • On Thursday, students at Bedichek Middle School and IDEA Rundberg College Preparatory walked out of class.
  • The student walkouts have been ongoing for the past two weeks across Central Texas.

The players

Texas Education Agency

The state agency that oversees public education in Texas, which has warned that student walkouts could cost districts state funding and lead to educators losing their teaching licenses.

Greg Abbott

The Governor of Texas, who called on the Texas Education Commissioner to investigate the Austin ISD district after students from 14 campuses held demonstrations last week.

Matias Segura

The Superintendent of Austin ISD, who said the previous walkouts were not sponsored or endorsed by the district.

Ruben Becerra

The Hays County Judge, who said the "political theatrics of current leadership" should yield and that the duty of the community is to protect the vulnerable and uphold freedoms of speech and peaceful assembly.

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What they’re saying

“You don't have freedom of speech to say and act any way you want to, anywhere you want to, any time you want. The Supreme Court has been very clear about free speech of students. And that free speech of students does not include leaving the school to go protest.”

— Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas (FOX 7 Austin)

“I believe that the political theatrics of current leadership should yield because what they are doing is micromanaging independent school districts, school boards, and principals, and classrooms, and at the end of the day, the classrooms aren't jails.”

— Ruben Becerra, Hays County Judge (FOX 7 Austin)

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.