HOUSTON, TX — A viewer sent in video and photos showing at least several dozen high school students protesting ICE near the McDonald’s at Bissonnet and the Beltway.
The protest occurred Friday afternoon and is part of a broader pattern of high school student walkouts across Texas tied to ICE-related enforcement and policies.
The demonstration follows a warning issued by the Texas Education Agency regarding student walkouts and political activism during the school day. The warning came after a directive from Greg Abbott to investigate political activism that disrupts classroom instruction.
“No more protests during school,” Abbott said. “It’s time to return to what their core responsibility is, and that’s educating our kids.”
According to the agency, students who walk out must be marked absent, and school districts risk losing daily attendance funding if they allow or encourage walkouts. Teachers who facilitate walkouts may face investigation and sanctions, including possible licensure revocation. Districts that facilitate walkouts may also be subject to investigation and sanctions, including the appointment of a monitor, conservator, or board of managers.
The agency stated that state law prohibits school systems from supporting or opposing political activism that disrupts learning during the school day and prohibits certified educators from encouraging or facilitating students leaving class to engage in political activism.
