Here’s what happened.
School districts across the United States are facing mounting disruptions as immigration enforcement activity under President Donald Trump sparks protests, walkouts, and emergency closures—particularly in major urban areas.
Officials say stepped-up operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement near school zones have fueled fear among parents and students, even as federal authorities insist schools themselves are not being targeted.
In Minneapolis, tensions escalated dramatically last week after an enforcement operation near a high school spiraled into chaos. A suspect fleeing officers reportedly drove recklessly through a school zone during dismissal hours, prompting a heavy federal response that later resulted in a fatal shooting.
The incident triggered protests, student walkouts, and the cancellation of in-person classes. The school district ultimately announced a shift to remote learning for several weeks, citing safety concerns.
Attendance Drops, Protests Rise
Educators say fear alone is now keeping students out of classrooms.
Administrators across several states report declining attendance following increased enforcement activity—particularly in immigrant communities—while high school students have staged walkouts demanding changes to federal policy.
In Minneapolis, two teachers were briefly detained during a confrontation between bystanders and federal agents, an episode that drew widespread media attention and intensified public outrage.
Parents describe an environment of uncertainty and anxiety.
Christy Moreno, a parent involved with a national parents’ advocacy group, said families feel overwhelmed trying to protect children, teachers, and school staff amid what she described as constant stress and confusion.
Federal Officials Push Back
The Department of Homeland Security strongly rejected claims that schools are being targeted.
DHS officials said officers were pursuing a dangerous suspect—not entering school property—and emphasized that the situation escalated only after a crowd surrounded agents, threw objects, and ignored repeated commands to disperse.
According to DHS, officers used pepper spray only after bystanders became aggressive. The agency also stated that an individual identifying as a teacher assaulted a federal agent during the confrontation.
Witnesses on the scene, however, dispute portions of the official account, underscoring the growing divide between federal authorities and local activists.
Similar Incidents Nationwide
The Minneapolis episode is not isolated.
In Maryland, ICE sparked controversy after arresting a woman near an elementary school shortly after she dropped off her child. In Chicago, federal officers were accused of forcibly removing individuals from a vehicle outside a school building.
Senate Democrats have cited several of these incidents in letters criticizing enforcement tactics, while DHS maintains that each operation involved individuals who acted aggressively or refused lawful commands.
Despite those explanations, student protests continue.
In Ohio, students at Dublin Scioto High School walked out to protest ICE activity tied to a regional enforcement operation. Similar demonstrations have taken place in Iowa, Texas, and California.
Academic Fallout Mounts
Beyond the political fallout, schools are now facing real academic consequences.
Research shows that increased immigration enforcement in surrounding communities often leads to sharp attendance declines—compounding chronic absenteeism problems that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A study conducted by Stanford University found student absences jumped by more than 20 percent in several California districts during periods of heightened ICE activity last year.
Education advocates say they are scrambling to provide support when families suddenly withdraw students after a parent is detained—often leaving children disconnected from the school system entirely.
A Growing National Flashpoint
The unrest intensified further after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Macklin Good in Minneapolis. The Trump administration has stated officers believed she was using her vehicle as a weapon, while Democratic leaders condemned the incident and urged calm.
Meanwhile, in Portland, Border Patrol agents injured two individuals during a separate operation. DHS said the suspects were linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, though activists dispute that claim.
As immigration enforcement expands under President Trump, schools nationwide are increasingly caught in the middle—balancing safety, education, and a rapidly escalating national debate that shows no signs of slowing down.
