Student-led anti-ICE walkouts continue in Central Texas amid state pressure

Texas officials warn educators could face consequences for facilitating protests during school hours

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Students at multiple schools in Texas, including campuses in Round Rock Independent School District and Austin Independent School District, are continuing to stage walkouts in protest of increased immigration enforcement. The demonstrations come despite warnings from state officials, including the Texas Governor, Attorney General, and Texas Education Agency, that educators could face professional consequences for assisting or facilitating the student protests during school hours.

Why it matters

The student-led anti-ICE protests highlight growing tensions between student activists, school districts, and state officials over the limits of student expression and political activism on school campuses. The investigations and threats from state leaders raise concerns about potential infringement on students' First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly.

The details

The continued student walkouts follow weeks of backlash from Texas officials. Gov. Greg Abbott called for the Texas Education Agency to investigate the walkouts that occurred on more than a dozen Austin ISD campuses on Jan. 30. Since then, the Texas Attorney General and TEA have opened separate investigations into the protests. The TEA also warned educators that they could lose their certification if found to have assisted with the walkouts, and that the education commissioner could replace elected school boards if they are found to have facilitated students leaving campus to protest.

  • On January 30, students staged walkouts at more than a dozen Austin ISD campuses.
  • On February 4, Round Rock ISD officials warned students that unexcused absences and disruptive behavior during walkouts would be handled according to the district's student code of conduct.
  • On February 13, KXAN observed students protesting outside of the Bowie and McCallum High School campuses in Austin.

The players

Greg Abbott

The Governor of Texas who called for the Texas Education Agency to investigate the student walkouts.

Texas Education Agency

The state agency that has opened investigations into school districts over the student protests and warned educators they could face professional consequences.

Austin Independent School District

The school district where the initial large-scale student walkouts took place on January 30, prompting state investigations.

Round Rock Independent School District

Another Central Texas school district that has seen student walkouts in protest of increased immigration enforcement.

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What they’re saying

“We've seen many of you find your own voices. Seeing our students engage with the world makes us incredibly proud. At the same time, the number and frequency of these demonstrations is starting to cause a real disruption to our school day.”

— Austin ISD staff (Instagram)

“We will not treat students differently in this instance or otherwise institute a more severe disciplinary consequence, as this would suggest that we are doing so based on the reason for their protest.”

— Kenneth Walker, General Counsel, Austin ISD (Letter to Attorney General)

“Short of physically restraining students, we cannot stop them from leaving campus.”

— Kenneth Walker, General Counsel, Austin ISD (Letter to Attorney General)

What’s next

The Texas Attorney General and Texas Education Agency investigations into the student walkouts are ongoing, and it remains to be seen what, if any, consequences school districts and educators may face.

The takeaway

The student-led anti-ICE protests in Central Texas highlight the complex balance between student activism, school district policies, and state oversight. As students continue to exercise their right to protest, school officials and state leaders must navigate how to respond in a way that upholds students' First Amendment freedoms while also maintaining order and educational continuity on campuses.