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What is the ICE School Crisis in Minnesota?
In February 2026, the Columbia Heights School District in Minnesota made a dramatic shift to online education as fear of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations has created an unprecedented educational crisis. With 50% of the district's 3,400 students being non-native English speakers and seven students already detained by ICE, schools have transformed from learning centers to multi-service organizations providing food, legal support, and refuge for immigrant families. This situation represents one of the most significant disruptions to public education in recent U.S. history, as Operation Metro Surge—the largest immigration enforcement operation ever conducted by DHS—continues to impact Minnesota communities.
Background: Operation Metro Surge and Educational Disruption
The current crisis stems from Operation Metro Surge, which began in December 2025 as part of President Trump's intensified immigration enforcement policies. This operation deployed up to 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota, resulting in 3,000 arrests and creating widespread fear in immigrant communities. The revocation of the 2011 Obama-era policy protecting schools as sensitive locations in January 2025 allowed ICE agents greater access to public areas of schools, fundamentally changing the safety calculus for immigrant families. Similar to the 2025 immigration policy changes that affected border communities, Minnesota's educational system now faces unprecedented challenges.
How Schools Are Responding to ICE Threats
Columbia Heights District's Online Transition
The Columbia Heights Public School District has seen a dramatic shift in attendance patterns. From a district with 3,516 students, more than one-third are now attending classes online. At Columbia Academy High School, English classrooms that typically held 15 students now have only eight physically present. The district has implemented several critical measures:
- Birthday packages delivered by volunteers with numbers instead of names to prevent ICE tracing
- After-school activities with 40 registrations now attended by only one student in person
- Protocols for ICE encounters with judicial warrants
- Mandatory passport carrying for student safety
- Indoor recess periods after nearby ICE raids
Multi-Service Transformation of Schools
Schools in affected areas have evolved beyond educational institutions. As one school director told the Washington Post, "We're no longer just a learning space. We're a food bank, a helpline, an information center, and a shelter." This transformation mirrors the community response to federal enforcement actions seen in other states, but with unique educational implications. The district has organized informational evenings about rights for staff and families, developed specific protocols for ICE encounters, and established security measures including adult escorts for walking students.
The Human Impact: Liam Conejo Ramos Case
The detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos became a global symbol of the harsh ICE policies affecting children. His photo wearing a blue rabbit hat, shared by the school district, drew international attention to the human cost of immigration enforcement. Following his case, the district faced bomb threats and threatening emails to staff members in early February 2026. The situation highlights how immigration policy intersects with fundamental educational rights, creating psychological trauma for students and staff alike.
Statistical Impact on Education
| Metric | Before Operation Metro Surge | After Operation Metro Surge |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Attendance | 95%+ | Less than 65% |
| Online Enrollment | Minimal | 210+ students (Columbia Heights) |
| Students with Detained Parents | Unknown | 16 confirmed cases |
| After-School Participation | Normal levels | 97.5% reduction in physical attendance |
Legal and Policy Implications
The state of Minnesota has sued Trump administration officials over the raids, arguing they violate state sovereignty and disrupt core governmental functions like public education. Research consistently shows that immigration enforcement leads to declines in academic achievement, attendance, and college enrollment, particularly affecting Latino and multilingual students. The situation raises fundamental questions about the balance between federal immigration enforcement and state educational responsibilities, similar to debates around federal versus state education funding that have shaped U.S. policy for decades.
Recent Developments and Future Outlook
In a February 12, 2026 announcement, Tom Homan, the border czar, indicated that ICE agent numbers in Minnesota would be gradually reduced. The school district responded with "cautious optimism" but noted that fear among students and parents remains high. The broader implications for U.S. education policy are significant, as schools nationwide may need to develop similar protocols for immigration enforcement scenarios. This crisis demonstrates how federal policy decisions can have immediate, tangible impacts on local educational systems and community wellbeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Metro Surge?
Operation Metro Surge is the largest immigration enforcement operation ever conducted by DHS, beginning in December 2025 and targeting Minnesota with up to 3,000 federal agents resulting in 3,000 arrests.
How many students have switched to online learning?
In Columbia Heights School District alone, over 210 of 700 students have switched to online learning due to safety concerns, with more than one-third of the district's 3,400 students now attending classes remotely.
What protections do schools have against ICE?
While ICE needs judicial warrants for classrooms, the revocation of the 2011 sensitive locations policy in January 2025 allows agents greater access to public school areas, significantly reducing traditional protections.
How are schools supporting immigrant families?
Schools have transformed into multi-service organizations providing food banks, legal support, counseling hotlines, immigration resource centers, and refuge for affected families.
What is the long-term impact on education?
Research shows immigration enforcement leads to declines in academic achievement, attendance, and college enrollment, with particularly severe impacts on Latino and multilingual student populations.
Sources
World Outlook: Minnesota School District Defense
CNN: ICE Raids Impact on Schools
Wikipedia: Operation Metro Surge
Census Reporter: Columbia Heights Demographics
Katie Couric: ICE Impact on Schools
