He told his students he’d be back Thursday. ICE kept him away for the entire school year.

Backpacks hang in a hallway at an Austin elementary school on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Eli Hartman for AUSTIN CURRENT " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/austincurrent.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/121125_TABrownElementary_32-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> In the third wee...