ICE Hurting School Attendance—
Mike Moen, producer/reporter, Minnesota News Connection, a bureau of Public News Service.
Despite federal leadership shake-ups in the immigration crackdown, a group of Minnesota educators and state lawmakers say 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 to hear from school leaders. The educators 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.
Educators want help from politicians as well as the public
Granlund’s district drew widespread attention when images of a 5-year-old student went viral. ICE detained the little boy and his father after returning home from preschool. Legislative leaders said there is pervasive fear among immigrant and non-immigrant students. This fear continues to affect attendance and children’s mental well-being negatively. Also, expanded ICE operations this past year sparked new debate about agents being present near areas traditionally deemed off-limits, such as schools.
Brenda Lewis, superintendent of Fridley Public Schools, said her staff is going to great lengths to ensure students and teachers arrive at and depart from school each day without incident.
“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 ICE operation. They also noted that they have appealed to state education leaders for flexibility. School districts have the difficult task of managing extended absences for students who are afraid to leave 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.
