TEA: School districts could face probe over ICE walkouts

Published 5:15 am Friday, February 6, 2026

DALLAS — The Texas Education Agency is warning school districts that they could face investigations and potential loss of funding over student walkouts.

The guidance comes amid a rash of walkouts in protest of federal immigration policy, including the ongoing ICE crackdown in Minnesota. In North Texas, students in Fort Worth, Birdville and Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISDs staged walkouts last Friday. Students in Forney ISD plan to hold a similar demonstration on Thursday.

In a letter sent Tuesday to district leaders across the state, TEA officials warned districts that they would be “subject to investigation and sanction, including either the appointment of a monitor, conservator or board of managers” if they facilitate walkouts. Teachers who encourage students to walk out or assist them in doing so could also face investigation, potentially resulting in revocation of their teaching certificates.

The 1969 U.S. Supreme Court case Tinker vs. Des Moines bars school districts from punishing students for political activity. But TEA officials reminded district leaders in Tuesday’s guidance that students who leave campus should be given unexcused absences, which means districts could risk losing daily attendance funding.

Mia Sotelo, a student at Forney High School and an organizer of Thursday’s walkout, said students from her campus, as well as North Forney High School, are walking out in solidarity with schools in Minnesota that have been affected by the immigration crackdown. A group of Minnesota school districts and teachers sued the Trump administration Wednesday, seeking to block ICE raids at or near schools.

Sotelo said organizers are trying to remind students that student protests are protected speech, and they can’t face any consequences harsher than an unexcused absence for walking out. They’re also reminding those participating in the walkout to remain peaceful and avoid being disruptive or engaging with counterprotesters.

A Forney ISD spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Tuesday’s TEA guidance comes after Gov. Greg Abbott called on Education Commissioner Mike Morath to investigate a student-led walkout in Austin ISD. Thousands of students from 14 campuses in the district left class Friday to protest ICE activity.

“AISD gets taxpayer dollars to teach the subjects required by the state, not to help students skip school to protest,” Abbott wrote on X Friday. “Our schools are for educating our children, not political indoctrination.”

On Tuesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton demanded that Austin ISD produce information regarding policies allowing students to leave campus. He accused district officials of “trying to impose their radical political agenda on the next generation” by allowing students to walk out.

“Parents expect our public schools to educate and keep their kids safe during the school day, not encourage them to attend a protest field trip designed to villainize brave law enforcement officials protecting our country,” Paxton said.

The student walkouts have been overwhelmingly peaceful. But a Kyle man was arrested last week following a fight with student protesters from Hays Consolidated ISD. The fight was captured on video. Chad Michael Watts, 45, faces two counts of assault causing bodily injury.

Separately, two juveniles were arrested during the Hays Consolidated ISD walkout. One was charged with assault on a public servant, resisting arrest, interfering with public duties, consumption and possession of alcohol by a minor. The other was charged with resisting arrest and interfering with public duties. Kyle police said the arrests were unrelated to the protest.