Gov. Abbott Warns of Arrests for Violent Protests, Funding Cuts for Schools Permitting Walkouts

Texas Governor Abbott Condemns Student Protests, Warns of Consequences for Schools

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has taken a firm stance against anti-immigration enforcement student protests, stating that participants should face arrest if demonstrations become violent. The governor’s comments came after incidents during recent school walkouts in Kyle, Texas.

Abbott shared a video on social media showing law enforcement arresting one of two students charged following a school walkout demonstration on Monday. “It’s about time students like this were arrested. Harming someone is a crime—even for students,” Abbott wrote. “Disruptive walkouts allowed by schools lead to just this kind of chaos.”

According to the Kyle Police Department, approximately 500 students from five different schools within the Hays Consolidated Independent School District participated in anti-ICE walkouts on Monday. The students converged in the downtown area while police monitored traffic and pedestrian safety.

During the demonstration, authorities reported that a student was found with alcohol, which led to two arrests. Police stated that one student faces charges of assault on a public servant, resisting arrest, interfering with public duties, and consumption and possession of alcohol by a minor. The second student was charged with resisting arrest and interfering with public duties.

Law enforcement officials clarified that the arrests were unrelated to the protest activities themselves. “We are aware of concerns that these arrests were related to the walkout activity; however, we would like to clarify that they are unrelated,” the department explained in their statement.

The governor intensified his criticism, suggesting that schools and staff who permit criminal behavior “should be treated as co-conspirators and should not be immune.” Abbott further threatened financial consequences, noting that his office is investigating the possibility of “stripping the funding of schools that abandon their duty to teach our kids the curriculum required by law.” It remains unclear if this warning specifically targets schools hosting anti-ICE walkouts.

These protests occur in the aftermath of controversial fatal shootings in Minneapolis last month. Federal agents shot and killed Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti, incidents that have sparked nationwide demonstrations. In response, some state and local leaders have called for immigration authorities to cease operations in their jurisdictions.

The legal context for such student demonstrations is important to note. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the First Amendment does not classify walkouts as protected speech. This means that schools maintain the authority to discipline students for unexcused absences or disrupting school functions.

The situation in Texas reflects a broader national debate over immigration enforcement that has intensified in recent years. Under Abbott’s leadership, Texas has implemented some of the nation’s strictest immigration policies, including the controversial Operation Lone Star, which deploys state resources to police the southern border.

Immigration enforcement has been a cornerstone of Abbott’s governorship, especially as Texas continues to experience high numbers of migrant crossings along its 1,254-mile border with Mexico. The governor has frequently criticized federal immigration policies and taken measures to assert state control over border security issues.

As student protests continue across the country, educational institutions are navigating the challenging balance between supporting students’ civic engagement and maintaining order and safety in educational environments. Abbott’s warnings signal a potential escalation in how state authorities might respond to future demonstrations in Texas schools.