Minnesota Immigrant Families Face Fears Sending Children to School

Thousands of children staying home due to concerns over immigration enforcement presence near schools

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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For many immigrant families in Minnesota, sending a child to school each day requires faith that one of the thousands of federal immigration officers deployed around the state won't detain them. Schools, parents and community groups have mobilized to help students get to class, but thousands of children are staying home, often for lack of transportation or simply trust. The fear has turned into reality, with parents and some children being detained, including a 5-year-old who was taken into custody as he was arriving home from school.

Why it matters

This issue highlights the difficult choices and constant fear that immigrant families in Minnesota face as they try to balance their children's education and safety. The increased presence of federal immigration officers near schools has led to a surge in student absenteeism and demand for online learning, disrupting education and community life.

The details

Schools, parents and community groups have organized efforts to escort students to and from school to try to ensure their safety. Some parents have even given up their jobs to minimize the chances of being detained. The situation has become so dire that over 9,000 students were absent in the St. Paul school district on a single day in January, more than a quarter of the district's 33,000 students.

  • On January 14, over 9,000 students were absent in the St. Paul school district, more than a quarter of the 33,000-student district.
  • In recent weeks, immigration officers have shown up in school parking lots, leading to a surge in absenteeism and demand for online learning.

The players

Giancarlo

A 10-year-old student who still attends school, while his younger brother has stopped going to daycare because his mother is too afraid to take him.

Liam Conejo Ramos

A 5-year-old student who was detained along with his father as they were arriving home from school, before being released by a judge.

Rene Argueta

The family liaison at Valley View Elementary School, who organized teachers to walk and drive students to and from their homes to ensure their safety.

Jenna Scott

A second grade teacher at Valley View Elementary School who tried to keep conversations with students light as she walked them home, to avoid scaring them.

Stacie Stanley

The superintendent of the St. Paul school district, who introduced a temporary virtual learning option after receiving letters from students begging for online learning due to safety concerns.

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What they’re saying

“God, please protect my son when he's not at home.”

— Giancarlo's mother

“I don't feel safe with him going to school. But every day he wakes up and wants to go. He wants to be with his friends.”

— Giancarlo's mother

“The teachers cry. It's sad.”

— Giancarlo

“It raises my blood pressure.”

— A mother, an immigrant from Mexico

“I'm so excited to see your house. Have you signed up for parent-teacher conference?”

— Jenna Scott, Second grade teacher

What’s next

The judge in Liam Conejo Ramos' case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow him and his father to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This situation underscores the difficult choices and constant fear that immigrant families in Minnesota face as they try to balance their children's education and safety. It highlights the need for policies that protect immigrant families and ensure all children have access to a quality education, regardless of their immigration status.