Austin ISD updates protest protocols for campus police as walkouts continue

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The Austin Independent School District is updating its protocols for how campus police officers will monitor student walkout protests. The district is one of several across Central Texas that have seen an increase in walkouts over the past two weeks, as students protest immigration enforcement actions taken by the Trump administration. AISD's response has received scrutiny from Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, who have launched investigations into how the district responded.

Why it matters

The student walkouts highlight growing tensions over immigration policies, with school districts caught in the middle of balancing student free speech rights and maintaining order and safety on campuses. AISD's new protocols aim to provide clearer guidelines for campus police and administrators in handling future protests.

The details

AISD will implement new protest protocols beginning Monday. If walkouts remain on campus and are within 300 feet of a school building, the students will be monitored by administrators and AISD police officers. If the protest moves more than 300 feet away from the building, administrators and staff will stay on campus, while police will follow the students to monitor safety. Once students leave campus, local law enforcement will monitor them, rather than AISD police. AISD also reiterated policies that school staff are not allowed to participate in, help plan, provide guidance or endorse walkouts, unless directed to do so for safety and monitoring purposes only.

• The student walkouts have occurred over the past two weeks.
• The new AISD protest protocols will be implemented starting on Monday, February 10, 2026.

What’s next

The judge overseeing the investigations by Gov. Abbott and Attorney General Paxton will determine if AISD violated any state laws or guidelines in its handling of the student walkouts.