Abbott directs education commissioner to investigate Austin ISD student ICE protests
AUSTIN, Texas - Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has called on the state's education commissioner to investigate a series of student-led protests at Austin ISD.
The move comes after students at 14 Austin ISD campuses participated in student-led demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
What they're saying:
"AISD gets taxpayer dollars to teach the subjects required by the state, not to help students skip school to protest," Abbott said on X in response to videos posted of the demonstrations.
"Our schools are for educating our children, not political indoctrination," Abbott said.
In a letter to parents, Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura said the demonstrations were not sponsored or endorsed by the district and that the district wants to have students in class during school hours.
The other side:
"During the school day, our students are our responsibility and we’re committed to the safety of our students in our community, regardless if they are on our campus," Segura said. "That is why our administrators and Austin ISD Police remain with our students during protest activities during school hours."
Featured
Abbott: ICE should 'work from a different direction' following recent shootings
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the White House and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement need to "recalibrate" and work to regain trust after the latest shooting by ICE agents in Minnesota.
Some students stayed on campus for demonstrations, but others walked to the Texas Capitol.
Segura said district staff cannot physically stop students from leaving campus and leaving campus to participate in a protest is an unexcused absence.
The protests were part of a larger national day of action against ICE calling for people to not attend work or school, and to abstain from any shopping.
The Source: Information in this article comes from a post made by Gov. Greg Abbott on X and a letter sent to Austin ISD parents from superintendent Matias Segura.