Minnesota Educators Plead for Help with ICE Activity Near Schools

Despite federal leadership shake-ups in the immigration crackdown, a group of Minnesota educators and state lawmakers said parents and students still fear ICE agents targeting school sites and transportation routes.

The Trump administration this week has signaled it will recalibrate its large-scale enforcement in Minnesota after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti fueled another wave of national backlash. On Tuesday, Senate Democrats in the Legislature gathered school leaders who shared their concerns about children from vulnerable households being forced into hiding.

Mary Granlund, chair of the Columbia Heights School Board, called on the public to do whatever it can to keep immigrant populations safe.

“We need your help to get our kids home, to get our families and communities whole again,” Granlund urged.

Granlund’s district drew widespread attention when images of a 5-year-old student went viral after he and his father were detained upon returning home from preschool. Legislative leaders said there is pervasive fear among immigrant and nonimmigrant students, which continues to affect attendance and kids’ mental well-being. Expanded ICE operations this past year sparked new debate about agents being present near places traditionally deemed off-limits, like schools.

Brenda Lewis, superintendent of Fridley Public Schools, said her staff is going to great lengths to ensure students and teachers make it to and from school each day without issue.

“We have seen a dramatic increase in families requesting door-to-door transportation, because parents do not want their children waiting at bus stops where they fear federal agents might appear,” Lewis emphasized. “We are now transporting both students and staff in ways we never have before.”

Speakers renewed calls for accountability at the federal level and compassion from policymakers who still back the operation. They also noted they have appealed to state education leaders for flexibility as school districts manage extended absences for students fearful of leaving their homes.

The American Federation of Teachers offered similar sentiments in a statement issued after the shooting death of Alex Pretti by a federal officer.