Minneapolis Families Demand Investment in Public Schools After ICE Invasion

The priorities of Mayor Jacob Frey and MPD reveal 'a kind of moral rot that must be addressed head on.'

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:55pm

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A dimly lit, empty school hallway with sunlight streaming in through the windows, creating long shadows and a sense of abandonment and neglect.The hallways of Minneapolis public schools face an uncertain future as the city prioritizes a new police facility over investing in critical education resources.Minneapolis Today

In the aftermath of the ICE invasion in Minneapolis, community organizers and families are calling on the city to prioritize funding for public schools over a new $38 million 'Community Safety and Wellness Center' proposed by the Frey administration. With MPS facing a $50 million deficit, the community argues the city's priorities are misaligned, as schools became 'life-saving hubs of community support and safety' during the crisis while law enforcement failed to protect vulnerable residents.

Why it matters

The proposed cuts to Minneapolis Public Schools, including reductions to social workers, counselors, teachers, and support staff for special education and English language learners, come at a time when students and families need these critical resources the most. The community argues the city's focus on a new police facility rather than investing in public education reveals a 'moral rot' in the city's priorities.

The details

During the ICE invasion, community members formed 'sanctuary school teams' at over 50 schools to shuttle children to safety, raise over $3 million in rental and food support, and conduct patrols around schools. Meanwhile, the Frey administration initially opposed a $1 million rental fund for impacted families and is now pushing for a new $38 million 'Community Safety and Wellness Center' as MPS faces a $50 million deficit.

  • In the aftermath of the ICE invasion in Minneapolis in 2026.
  • Next year, Minneapolis Public Schools is projected to face a $50 million deficit.

The players

Shannon Gibney

A writer, professor, and organizer in south Minneapolis, as well as a parent leader in Minneapolis Families for Public Schools, a group of caregivers of MPS students fighting for the best public schools possible. She is running for the District 3 MPS School Board seat in November.

Mayor Jacob Frey

The mayor of Minneapolis who initially opposed a $1 million rental fund for ICE-impacted families and is now pushing for a new $38 million 'Community Safety and Wellness Center' as MPS faces devastating budget cuts.

Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS)

The school district of nearly 30,000 students facing a projected $50 million deficit next year, leading to cuts to social workers, counselors, teachers, and support staff for special education and English language learners.

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What they’re saying

“We were told by Chicago organizers that no one was coming to save us when ICE arrived in Minneapolis to do their terrible work, and no one did.”

— Shannon Gibney, Writer, professor, and organizer

“To call this depressing is an understatement. These cuts are an attack on the education and support our students need and deserve.”

— Shannon Gibney, Writer, professor, and organizer

What’s next

The city council has voted 7-6 to ask city staff to revisit the proposal for the $38 million 'Community Safety and Wellness Center' as the city faces an estimated $203 million in economic damage from the ICE invasion.

The takeaway

The Frey administration's priorities in the aftermath of the ICE invasion, focusing on a new police facility rather than investing in public education, reveal a 'moral rot' that must be addressed. The community argues the city's future lies in supporting its public schools, not starving them of resources.