Minnesota Schools Sue to Block ICE Enforcement on Campus

A coalition of Minnesota school districts and educators filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday seeking to block the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement from conducting immigration enforcement activities in or near public schools. The case challenges what plaintiffs describe as a dramatic shift in federal enforcement policy that has caused school closures, attendance drops, and widespread fear among students and families.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court of Minnesota, names DHS and ICE as defendants and includes Duluth Public Schools, Fridley Public Schools, and Education Minnesota, the state's largest teachers union representing more than 84,000 educators. The legal team is led by Democracy Forward, a nonprofit organization that successfully challenged ICE raids in houses of worship last year.

Background

The Trump-Vance administration recently removed longstanding protections that designated schools as "sensitive locations" where immigration enforcement activity was restricted. These protections had been in place across multiple administrations of both parties for decades.

Following the launch of a federal initiative called Operation Metro Surge in December 2025, immigration enforcement activity expanded rapidly across Minnesota. According to the complaint, federal agents have appeared near school buildings, bus stops, and dismissal areas, sometimes stationed within view of classroom windows for extended periods.

The impact on school attendance has been severe. Multiple Minnesota school districts reported sharp drops in early January, with some districts experiencing attendance declines of nearly one-third within weeks. In some cases, large portions of multilingual student populations were absent, while other districts saw attendance fall below half.

Key Details

Plaintiffs argue that the threat of enforcement near schools has created a chilling effect that extends beyond immigrant families to entire school communities. The complaint describes specific incidents in which federal agents allegedly appeared near school grounds, causing widespread anxiety among students and educators.

School leaders say the enforcement activity has forced difficult choices. Superintendents reported having to close schools, cancel activities, or transition to remote learning. Teachers describe being unable to focus on instruction while armed, masked federal agents operate near their classrooms.

"Students can't learn, and educators can't teach, when there are armed, masked federal agents stationed within view of classroom windows, sometimes for days on end," said Monica Byron, president of Education Minnesota.

Legal Arguments

The plaintiffs allege that the Department of Homeland Security violated the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional protections when it rescinded prior guidance limiting enforcement in sensitive locations. They argue that DHS failed to adequately consider the educational and community impacts of its decision.

The case is titled Fridley Public School District (ISD 14) et al. v. Noem, et al., referencing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

What This Means

School administrators say the core issue is about creating safe spaces for learning. When federal enforcement moves into school zones, trust breaks down, attendance suffers, and the stability that public education depends on disappears. Once that damage occurs, officials warn it is difficult to reverse.

"As superintendent, my responsibility is the safety, dignity, and education of every child entrusted to our schools. When immigration enforcement activity occurs near schools, it undermines trust and creates fear that directly interferes with students' ability to learn and feel safe," said Brenda Lewis, superintendent of Fridley Public Schools.

The lawsuit raises broader questions about where the government can conduct enforcement operations and what limits apply to federal agents near places designated as sensitive. School districts across the country are watching how courts respond to Minnesota's challenge, as it could set precedent for similar cases.

Educators and school leaders say the stakes are high. They point out that no family should have to choose between keeping a child home from school and risking a traumatic encounter with federal agents. Public education, they argue, depends on trust and stability. Once that foundation is undermined, the damage extends far beyond any single family or district.