Texas Attorney General Requests Records from Austin ISD After Student Walkout

February 4, 2026

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has formally asked Austin Independent School District for information following a student walkout last week connected to anti-ICE demonstrations. Paxton asserts that district personnel aided students in leaving campus to attend the protests, and he has moved to gather documentation related to the event.

The request centers on whether school employees played a role in facilitating students' participation in the off-campus demonstrations. Paxton has characterized staff assistance as a key concern, prompting his office to seek records that would clarify what happened and who was involved.

The walkout took place last week, when groups of students left campus and took part in protests opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities. Students organized and participated in the actions, and the protests drew attention from state officials who are scrutinizing the circumstances surrounding the departures from school grounds.

Paxton's initiative signals increased state interest in how school districts handle politically charged student activity, particularly when adults who work for the district may be involved. The request could lead to further review of district policies on supervision, permissions for off-campus events, and employee conduct during student demonstrations.

Austin ISD now faces a records inquiry from the attorney general's office, which may include requests for communications and documentation related to the walkout. The district will need to respond to the request while balancing privacy and student rights with state oversight.

Community members, parents, and education advocates will likely watch how the district and the attorney general proceed. The outcome could affect school rules about protests, staff roles during unrest, and how districts handle similar demonstrations in the future.

Paxton's request follows the student action last week and aims to establish whether district employees knowingly assisted students in leaving campus to join the anti-ICE protests. Officials will review the materials once they are provided, and any next steps will depend on what those records show.