ICE is endangering our kids and schools. It’s time to take action.

By Josh Crosson

Statement from Josh Crosson, Executive Director of EdAllies

Schools should be safe, secure places where every student can learn, grow, and thrive. But right now in Minnesota, that is not the case. From enforcement operations on school grounds to the tragic shooting of Renee Nicole Good, the mother who was shot and killed after dropping off her 6-year-old at school, the surge of unpredictable actions by federal ICE agents has eroded students’ sense of safety and fractured our communities.

In Minneapolis, schools are closed in the wake of tragedy and fear, including local high school students being sprayed with chemical irritants and staff being handcuffed, and detentions happening in front of our kids and, in some cases, to their own families. In other parts of our community, families are afraid to leave their homes or send their children to school, whether for fear for their own safety or what they may witness. The real and threatened presence of federal agents at the doors of our schools is causing stress, anxiety, fear, and anger, and none of it is conducive to student well-being or learning. These intimidation tactics have no place in our communities and must leave our schools immediately.

Across Minnesota, communities are taking extraordinary action to keep children safe from our federal government—a reality that families should not have to face. Neighbors are escorting students to and from school. Educators are receiving training on interacting with law enforcement and talking to students about their protections and current realities. Families shoulder fear and uncertainty for their children’s well-being. This is not an environment where students can grow and thrive, and we must acknowledge that and take action to defend our children.  

At the state level, we must ensure our students are safe in schools and be clear that Minnesota stands behind every student’s right to a public education. Last year, Illinois passed the Safe Schools for All Act, which not only enshrines students’ right to an education regardless of immigration status but also ensures schools have policies for responding when federal immigration agents are active on school property. Minnesota should act swiftly to follow suit.

We are also calling on our federal leaders to take action—most urgently, using their positions to ensure guardrails around federal enforcement to keep our kids and schools safe. In early 2025, President Trump rescinded a policy that limited federal immigration operations near sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, and churches. Today, we are seeing the outcomes of that policy change. ICE should not be operating in and around our schools. Federal policymakers must, at a minimum, re-enact the policy that protects our students from ICE threats when they are in school. 

Most importantly, we cannot have complete conversations about student safety without student voice. Rhetoric and policy decisions that profoundly affect our children’s lives continue to move forward without their voices at the table. Their concerns, fears, and lived experiences must be our priority. 

We are committed to ensuring our schools are safe and welcoming places where all kids can learn. This is only possible when we remove the shadow of fear from the lives of kids and families.

In solidarity,

Josh Crosson

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