Two undocumented fathers were detained near Austin Elementary School in Galveston County, sparking community concern about immigration enforcement near schools despite assurances that campuses would remain safe zones. The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and federal authorities have not clarified the details of the incident or their enforcement policies near school property.
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The recent detention of two undocumented fathers close to Austin Elementary School in October has sparked worries among parents and local officials regarding the extent of immigration enforcement in Galveston County.
Galveston Independent School District Trustee Elizabeth Beeton reported that deputies took two men into custody after they dropped off their children close to the campus. However, the specifics regarding the fathers' identities and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.
In late October, Superintendent Matthew Neighbors communicated to the trustees regarding the incident, though Beeton noted that a specific date was not disclosed.
Beeton stated that school personnel were directed to reach out to the children's families to organize pickups following the detentions. “Concerns are mounting among parents regarding the fate of their children in the event of detention,” Beeton stated. She highlighted a situation where an undocumented mother had requested a friend to assume power of attorney for her child, anticipating the possibility of her deportation.
Questions regarding the incident and the enforcement policy near schools have gone unanswered by the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Jimmy Fullen had previously assured district officials that deputies would refrain from conducting immigration actions on school campuses or in churches. “Deputies will refrain from taking enforcement actions on school campuses,” stated School Board President Anthony Brown, reflecting on his prior discussion with Fullen.
The recent detentions have sparked renewed concerns following the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security decided to rescind a 2021 directive that limited arrests in "sensitive areas" like schools and places of worship. A department spokesperson confirmed that the policy change permits agents to make arrests in those locations when deemed necessary.
In Texas, immigration enforcement remains a significant priority. From the start of former President Donald Trump’s second term through July 29, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made 138,068 arrests nationwide. With Texas accounting for 24 percent of them, Governor Greg Abbott announced Tuesday.
In a decisive move, the state has mobilized National Guard troops alongside Department of Public Safety officers as part of Operation Lone Star to address illegal entry and human smuggling at the border.
Amidst growing concerns within the community, residents reported that the district has not seen a decline in attendance across its campuses. Brown stated that he did not know about any absences outside of the usual variations.
Fullen reiterated in an earlier town hall meeting that his office participates in an ICE program allowing trained deputies to execute deportation orders but emphasized that local law enforcement engages in immigration matters only when requested by federal agencies, particularly in cases involving violent offenders.
As of publication, neither the sheriff’s office nor Austin Elementary School Principal Julia Ramirez had provided further comment.
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