School Districts Sue to Block Rollback of ICE Enforcement Limits

Fridley and Duluth districts, along with state teachers union, seek to restore restrictions on immigration actions near schools

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:54am

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A serene, photorealistic painting of an empty school bus stop on a sunny day, with long shadows cast across the pavement, conveying a sense of quiet unease and the impact of federal immigration policies on local communities.As federal immigration enforcement encroaches on 'sensitive locations' like schools, the disruption to local communities and education systems becomes increasingly visible.Duluth Today

Two Minnesota school districts and the state's main teachers union have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block a Trump administration policy change that gave immigration authorities more freedom to conduct enforcement actions in and around schools. The plaintiffs argue the new policy has deeply impacted student attendance and strained school resources, and they are asking a judge to restore the previous restrictions on 'sensitive locations' like schools.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local school districts, which are tasked with providing education to all students regardless of immigration status. The policy change has sowed fear among immigrant families and disrupted learning, leading some students to stop attending school altogether.

The details

The Fridley and Duluth school districts, along with the Education Minnesota union, filed the lawsuit in February after the Department of Homeland Security rescinded longstanding nationwide restrictions on immigration enforcement near 'sensitive locations' like schools and churches. The plaintiffs argue the new policy has led to a spike in student absences, with Fridley seeing attendance drop by nearly a third. Some students have even left the country or been detained. The districts say the policy change has strained their resources, forcing them to pivot to virtual learning in many cases.

  • The Department of Homeland Security rescinded the 'sensitive locations' policy in 2025.
  • The lawsuit was filed in February 2026.
  • A federal judge heard arguments in the case on April 10, 2026.

The players

Fridley School District

A Minnesota school district that is a plaintiff in the lawsuit against the Trump administration's policy change.

Duluth School District

A Minnesota school district that is a plaintiff in the lawsuit against the Trump administration's policy change.

Education Minnesota

The main teachers union in Minnesota that is a plaintiff in the lawsuit against the Trump administration's policy change.

U.S. District Judge Laura Provinzino

The federal judge presiding over the case and expected to rule on the plaintiffs' request for an injunction.

Jessica Lundberg

The Justice Department attorney defending the Trump administration's policy change in court.

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What they’re saying

“We'll just have to wait and see what the judge does.”

— Amanda Cialkowski, Attorney representing the school districts and teachers union

“The change 'deeply impacted' attendance because families did not feel safe in sending their children to school.”

— Brenda Lewis, Fridley Superintendent

“Duluth -- which is about 150 miles north of Minneapolis -- is well outside the Twin Cities metro area but started feeling the effects of the policy change long before the surge.”

— John Magas, Duluth Superintendent

What’s next

The judge is expected to rule on the plaintiffs' request for an injunction as soon as possible, though she indicated she wants to ensure she 'gets it right'.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local school districts, which are tasked with providing education to all students regardless of immigration status. The policy change has sowed fear among immigrant families and disrupted learning, leading some students to stop attending school altogether.