School leaders describe impact of immigration operations in Senate hearing

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    School leaders describe impact of immigration operations in Senate hearingSchool leaders describe impact of immigration operations in Senate hearing

State lawmakers on Wednesday heard from more than 20 school leaders who shared details about what’s happening in Minnesota schools during federal immigration operations.

School leaders said that both local and immigrant families have been afraid to go to school, and now districts need millions of dollars to make up for missed learning and provide mental health services.

Superintendent Brenda Lewis of Fridley Public Schools, which is abou 80% students of color, says federal agents have been following families home from school — including U.S. citizens. She also described agents representing themselves as media and taking photos and videos of staff members outside schools.

Lewis added that fear has driven 400 students to switch to online learning.

A spokesperson for the Hiawatha Association says some students go missing and are detained, just to be released days later because they have legal status.

According to a representative for the Minnesota Charter School Association, some schools are seeing 40-50% absences, despite efforts to reconnect with students. He added that the state will see achievement gaps moving forward.

Democrats in the State Senate echoed the concerns of the school leaders, while Republicans said they wanted to hear from more voices in their communities and thanked law enforcement.
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