Paxton Probes Texas School Districts Over Student Anti-ICE Walkouts

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton escalated his campaign against “sanctuary” sentiments on Monday, February 16, 2026, announcing formal investigations into three additional school districts for allegedly facilitating student walkouts. The probe targets San Antonio’s North East ISD (NEISD), Dallas ISD, and Manor ISD, following an ongoing inquiry into Austin ISD launched earlier this month.

The investigations coincide with the start of early voting for the March 3 Republican primary, where Paxton is currently the front-runner in a heated race to unseat four-term U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

Allegations of “Orchestrated” Protests

Paxton’s office alleges that administrators and faculty at these districts may have helped coordinate the mass walkouts, which saw thousands of students leave class to protest federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

• The “Breeding Ground” Accusation: In a blistering news release, Paxton stated, “I will not allow Texas schools to become breeding grounds for the radical Left’s open borders agenda.”
• Safety Concerns: The AG claims the districts took “little to no action” to ensure student safety or prevent the disruption of instructional time.
• Demands for Documents: Paxton has ordered the districts to hand over internal communications, security protocols, and specific data on unexcused absences and campus leave policies.

NEISD Response: Focused on Churchill High School

In San Antonio, the investigation is centered on Churchill High School, where students participated in a large-scale walkout on January 29.

• District Stance: NEISD spokesperson Aubrey Chancellor stated the district is cooperating “in the spirit of transparency.” She noted that the district had previously issued guidance to staff to remain “professionally neutral” and that participating students were marked truant.
• The “Neutrality” Policy: Chancellor emphasized that while the district does not condone walkouts, it cannot legally or physically restrain students from leaving campus if they choose to do so.

Political Undercurrents: The 2026 Senate Primary

The timing of the investigation is being framed by political analysts as a strategic move to bolster Paxton’s “MAGA” credentials just as Texas voters head to the polls.

• Front-Runner Status: Recent polling (Feb 2026) shows Paxton leading Senator John Cornyn by a significant margin (roughly 36% to 27%) among likely primary voters, though Representative Wesley Hunt remains a strong third-party challenger.
• Aggressive Litigation: Paxton has leveraged his final months as Attorney General to file numerous lawsuits against federal policies and municipal “sanctuary” efforts, positioning himself as the primary defender of the administration’s border agenda in Texas.

Tracking the Texas ISD Investigations (Feb 2026)