Minnesota Debate Director Speaks Out on ICE Chaos Traumatizing Children

Amy Cram Helwich details the past 10 weeks of fear, disruption and violence in Minnesota schools.

Feb. 13, 2026 at 10:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Amy Cram Helwich, the executive director of the Minnesota Urban Debate League, describes the traumatic and chaotic past 10 weeks that students in Minnesota have endured due to increased immigration enforcement actions near schools. She details multiple incidents where federal agents have disrupted schools, used force against students and staff, and created an atmosphere of constant fear and disruption to learning.

Why it matters

The increased immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota have had a severe impact on children, disrupting their education, exposing them to violence, and causing widespread trauma. This highlights the broader issue of how aggressive immigration policies can deeply harm vulnerable communities, especially children.

The details

Helwich describes numerous incidents over the past 10 weeks where federal immigration agents have disrupted schools, including tackling students, using tear gas and pepper spray, and even killing two people near school grounds. This has led to widespread school closures, lockdowns, and disruptions to learning, with nearly 25% of district students now learning virtually. Helwich says the trauma has impacted all children, but especially the most vulnerable.

  • On December 1, the president made derogatory remarks about the Somali community.
  • On December 3, the Minnesota Urban Debate League hosted its first East African Policy Debate tournament.
  • From December 6-11, Augsburg University received bomb threats and immigration agents assaulted Somali-born citizens near the university.
  • On January 7, a Somali-born citizen was shot and killed by immigration agents near a high school during dismissal.
  • On January 16-17, the State Debate Tournament was moved due to an anti-immigrant hate rally in the original location.

The players

Amy Cram Helwich

The executive director of the Minnesota Urban Debate League since 2009, with over 25 years of nonprofit management experience.

June Hoidal

The lead plaintiff in a lawsuit filed by Education Minnesota and school districts to restore schools as a protected space from immigration enforcement.

Renee Good

A Somali-born citizen who was shot and killed by immigration agents on January 7.

Alex Pretti

A person who was shot and killed by federal agents on January 24 in the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Education Minnesota, the teachers' union, has joined school districts in suing the federal government to restore schools as a protected space from immigration enforcement actions.

The takeaway

The aggressive immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota have had a devastating impact on children, causing widespread trauma, disruption to their education, and violations of their basic rights to safety and learning. This highlights the need for policies that protect vulnerable communities, especially children, from the harmful effects of harsh immigration crackdowns.