Abbott Threatens Funding Cuts as ICE Protests Reach Campuses

Student walkouts related to immigration enforcement protests persisted throughout Central Texas on Wednesday, following the Texas Education Agency's release of guidance detailing district responsibilities and possible repercussions.

Renewed demonstrations have emerged following a warning from Governor Greg Abbott, who cautioned that schools may face funding cuts if students leave classrooms to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

“We are considering the possibility of withdrawing funding from schools that fail to fulfill their obligation to teach the curriculum mandated by law,” Abbott stated on X.

At a press conference held on Wednesday, Abbott elaborated on that warning.

“Students who skip class to participate in protests will result in their schools not receiving funding for those days,” Abbott stated. “It’s the responsibility of the superintendent, the principals, and the educators to make sure those children are in school getting the education they’re supposed to be getting, and making sure that parents are reassured their children are not wandering around some street somewhere…”

In Hays County, the superintendent of the Hays Consolidated Independent School District addressed families in a letter, expressing concern after a 12-year-old student left Simon Middle School during a protest earlier this week. The district reported that a student became disoriented and traveled several miles to Lehman High School before being found.

District leaders underscored the importance of student safety and adherence to state attendance regulations in their recent communication.

Democrats also weighed in on the controversy. U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett has voiced strong criticism of potential funding cuts, emphasizing that educational institutions are already facing significant financial challenges.

“He has so underfunded our schools that they cannot perform to the best of their abilities,” Doggett stated regarding Abbott. Students express valid concerns about the perceived lawlessness in ICE operations.

In response to inquiries about the timing of protests, Doggett acknowledged that students could have a significant impact after school hours. However, he raised concerns about the potential political repercussions school districts might face if they supported such a strategy.

Doggett expressed the belief that students could engage in protests just as effectively after school hours as they could during the school day, emphasizing a desire to see such actions take place. He noted that school districts may still encounter criticism under existing directives.

On Wednesday, certain campuses experienced further walkouts, while others remained unaffected. Abbott stated that schools are adhering to the state's guidance.

Abbott emphasized that schools are complying with the Texas Education Agency guidelines and avoiding protests during school hours. He emphasized that schools must prioritize their fundamental responsibility for educating children.

We anticipate that the ongoing discussion surrounding student protest rights and school funding will persist as districts respond to state policy and community feedback.