Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opens investigation into NEISD over alleged facilitation of anti-ICE walkouts

State inquiry targets student walkouts and district actions during school hours

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday, February 16, 2026, announced an investigation into North East Independent School District in San Antonio, along with Dallas Independent School District and Manor Independent School District near Austin, over allegations that school officials facilitated student walkouts protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities.

The attorney general’s office said the investigations will examine whether district administrators or employees helped organize the protests, whether student safety was adequately maintained, and whether classroom instruction was significantly disrupted during the school day. The announcement followed a separate investigation opened earlier this month involving Austin Independent School District.

What the attorney general is seeking

The investigation described by the attorney general’s office centers on district policies and decision-making surrounding students leaving campus during instructional time. Requests outlined by the state include records related to campus security procedures, student leave and attendance policies, communications by staff about the walkouts, and any use of public resources tied to the demonstrations.

The stated focus is whether public schools complied with laws and rules governing student supervision, campus safety, and the appropriate use of taxpayer-funded resources. The attorney general’s office has framed the walkouts as protests against “lawful immigration enforcement activities” and said it will use its investigative authority to determine whether any statutes were violated.

NEISD response and district posture

North East ISD has publicly indicated it will cooperate with the state’s requests and has said it plans to respond with transparency. The district has also emphasized that it did not organize the student protests. In communications describing its approach, NEISD has said staff were instructed to remain neutral and not encourage or discourage participation.

NEISD has also warned that students who leave campus without authorization may be marked truant, and that discipline can apply if student conduct disrupts learning or creates safety risks. The district has indicated the inquiry is focused on events at Churchill High School.

Broader context of the walkouts

The state investigation comes amid a wave of student-led walkouts in multiple Texas communities since late January. The demonstrations have been tied to broader national protests criticizing immigration enforcement and ICE operations, with students in various cities calling for policy changes.

The investigation is expected to evaluate how districts balanced student expression with campus supervision responsibilities during the school day.

Key points under review

• Whether district employees encouraged, organized, or assisted walkouts
• How districts handled student supervision and campus security during departures
• Attendance practices, including excused absences and truancy determinations
• Whether public funds or district resources were used in connection with protests

No findings have been announced. The attorney general’s office has not released a timeline for completion of the investigations.