Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has directed Education Commissioner Mike Morath to investigate Austin Independent School District after students from multiple campuses left class during the school day to participate in anti-enforcement walkouts related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Abbott issued the directive January 30 after videos circulated online showing students leaving campus during instructional hours, with some students accompanied by police officers.
I have directed the Education Commissioner to investigate this.
AISD gets taxpayer dollars to teach the subjects required by the state, not to help students skip school to protest.
Our schools are for educating our children, not political indoctrination.
This is one of many… https://t.co/lhymqT0d2B
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 31, 2026
“AISD gets taxpayer dollars to teach the subjects required by the state, not to help students skip school to protest,” Abbott wrote on X. “Our schools are for educating our children, not political indoctrination.”
Students From 14 Campuses Left Class
In a letter sent to families, Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura confirmed that students at 14 campuses participated in what he described as “student-led protests related to immigration enforcement activities.”
According to Segura, some students participated in walkouts on campus, while others left school grounds and gathered at the Texas Capitol.
Segura emphasized that the activity was not sponsored or endorsed by Austin ISD or any of its schools.
“It is always our desire to have our students in our classrooms during instructional hours,” Segura wrote.
District Cites Safety, Limits On Authority
Segura said Austin ISD administrators and district police officers accompanied students during the school day in order to ensure student safety, citing the district’s responsibility for students during instructional hours.
“During the school day, our students are our responsibility and we’re committed to the safety of our students in our community, regardless if they are on our campus,” Segura wrote. “That is why our administrators and Austin ISD Police remain with our students during protest activities during school hours.”
However, Segura noted that the district’s ability to ensure safety is limited when students attend non-school-sanctioned events.
“Our staff cannot physically prevent a student from choosing to leave campus,” Segura wrote, adding that family guidance is essential during such situations.
Walkouts Counted As Unexcused Absences
Segura stated that leaving campus during the school day to participate in a walkout is considered an unexcused absence under district policy. He also warned that if a student leaves campus and does not return by the end of the school day, the district cannot facilitate their return to campus or ensure their transportation home.
Abbott’s office has not released additional details regarding the scope or timeline of the investigation by the Texas Education Agency.
