SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Social justice groups are calling on East Central Independent School District to reconsider disciplinary actions against 30 high school students who walked out of class on Feb. 13 to protest immigration enforcement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The district has maintained the suspensions, saying the students left campus without authorization and engaged in behavior that disrupted the learning environment and raised safety concerns. ECISD officials emphasized that no student was expelled or placed in an alternative disciplinary setting permanently, and that consequences were assigned based on each student’s conduct, prior record, and refusal to comply with campus rules during the demonstration.
Advocacy groups including Dare to Struggle and Peace in Texas argue that the punishments were excessive, citing three-day off-campus suspensions, 10-day in-school suspensions, and restrictions on attending prom or graduation. One student was reportedly briefly expelled and another placed in an alternative discipline program before being reassigned to in-school suspension.
ECISD spokesman Brandon Oliver said students were not disciplined for their message or beliefs, and that structured opportunities for dialogue on immigration issues, including a Feb. 17 panel discussion, were provided to ensure students could engage safely.
The Texas Education Agency has instructed schools that students must face consequences for leaving class during the school day, which may include unexcused absences affecting credit or final grades.