Texas Gov. Greg Abbott posted video of an arrest after an anti‑ICE student walkout in Kyle, saying students who turn protests violent should be arrested and warning that schools permitting criminal behavior could face funding cuts. About 500 students from five Hays CISD schools marched; two were arrested, one facing multiple charges including assault on a public servant and alcohol‑related offenses. Police said the arrests were not tied to the walkout, while the ACLU notes walkouts are not automatically protected speech at school.
Abbott Says Violent Student Protesters Should Be Arrested, Warns Of Funding Cuts For Schools Allowing Walkouts
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott fired back at anti-immigration enforcement student protesters on Tuesday.(Getty Images)
Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday doubled down on a hardline response to student demonstrations against immigration enforcement, saying students who turn walkouts violent should be arrested and warning that schools which “allow” criminal behavior could face funding cuts.
Abbott posted a video showing law enforcement taking one of two students into custody after a Monday walkout in Kyle, Texas. "It’s about time students like this were arrested. Harming someone is a crime—even for students," he wrote alongside the video, adding that "disruptive walkouts allowed by schools lead to just this kind of chaos."
Anti-ICE protesters gather outside Houston City Hall, Jan. 10, in Texas.
What Happened
According to a statement from the Kyle Police Department, roughly 500 students from five schools in the Hays Consolidated Independent School District left campus and marched into downtown Kyle as part of anti-ICE demonstrations. Police said officers were on scene primarily to manage traffic and protect pedestrians.
During the protest, authorities reported that one student was found in possession of alcohol. Two students were arrested: one faces multiple charges including assault on a public servant, resisting arrest, interfering with public duties, and consumption and possession of alcohol by a minor; the other is charged with resisting arrest and interfering with public duties. Officials said additional charges could be forthcoming.
People line up to speak with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recruiters in Arlington, Texas.
The Kyle Police Department also sought to clarify public concerns, saying it was "aware of concerns that these arrests were related to the walkout activity; however, we would like to clarify that they are unrelated."
Governor's Response And Possible School Penalties
Abbott insisted in his post that schools and staff who permit criminal behavior "should be treated as co-conspirators and should not be immune." He said his office is exploring whether to strip funding from schools that he says "abandon their duty to teach our kids the curriculum required by law." The governor did not specify which campuses or demonstrations his warning targeted, and his office did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.
Context And Legal Notes
The demonstrations followed the recent fatal shootings of Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents, incidents that sparked protests nationwide and calls from some local and state leaders to limit immigration-enforcement operations in their jurisdictions.
Legal context: Civil liberties groups note that the First Amendment does not automatically protect school walkouts. The American Civil Liberties Union says schools may discipline students for unexcused absences or for conduct that significantly disrupts school operations.
This account presents the official actions and statements while noting that authorities have said the arrests were not directly related to the walkout. Questions remain about whether and how state-level funding actions against school districts would be pursued or upheld in court.
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