As protests linked to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity continue to spread across Texas and the Houston area, an official statement has been released from the ICE Houston Field Office.
In the statement provided Tuesday, federal officials pushed back against what they describe as an increase in violence and disruptions tied to recent demonstrations, adding that the Department of Homeland Security is taking steps to uphold public safety as protests continue nationwide and locally.
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The full statement provided by ICE read:
“The First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly—not rioting, assault and destruction. ICE fully supports the right to peacefully protest, but condemns the dangerous and unlawful actions that are obstructing federal operations and endangering the safety of everyone involved, including protesters, bystanders, detainees, and law enforcement officers.
DHS is taking measures to uphold the rule of law and protect public safety and our officers. ICE officers are facing a more than 1300% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, and gang members. Law and order will prevail.”
The statement comes as Texas schools and local governments respond to a wave of student walkouts and other demonstrations tied to students’ reported opposition to ICE operations.
In the Houston area, students at multiple campuses have participated in walkouts since last week, with more planned in the days ahead, including at Elkins High School in Fort Bend County.
READ MORE: Houston-area students join nationwide ICE protests, Elkins High School walkout planned
Districts across the region have stressed that demonstrations during instructional time are not supported, while emphasizing student safety and campus security.
KPRC 2 has reached out to Houston-area districts to learn how they are responding to the walkouts.
Responses from Texas politicians
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also weighed in Tuesday, responding on social media to reports of two students being arrested during a walkout in Kyle, Texas.
“It’s about time students like this were arrested,” Abbott wrote in a post on X, adding that “disruptive walkouts allowed by schools lead to just this kind of chaos.”
It’s about time students like this were arrested. Harming someone is a crime -- even for students.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) February 3, 2026
Disruptive walkouts allowed by schools lead to just this kind of chaos.
Schools and staff who allow this behavior should be treated as co-conspirators and should not be…
READ MORE: Gov. Abbott responds to student walkouts in Texas: ‘About time students like this were arrested’
Other prominent politicians in Texas have also condemned the walkouts.
On Monday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation into Austin ISD, alleging district officials were aware students planned to leave campus to participate in ICE-related protests.
Why protests have intensified in recent days
The protests intensified following recent fatal shootings involving federal agents in Minneapolis, incidents that organizers across the country have cited as a catalyst for coordinated demonstrations, school walkouts, and national shutdown efforts.
While many student organizers say their demonstrations are intended to remain peaceful, federal and state officials continue to warn that unlawful activity will not be tolerated.
Classes across the Houston area are expected to continue as scheduled as districts monitor the situation and additional protests are planned.