Minnesota
A high-level overview of immigration enforcement activity, school protection policies, and resources for families and educators in Minnesota.
Overview
State context
Minnesota has taken meaningful steps to protect immigrant communities. Minneapolis and St. Paul have strong sanctuary city policies. Several school districts in the Twin Cities metro have adopted protective policies or guidance. The state government has generally been supportive of immigrant protections, and the Democratic-led legislature has expanded protections in recent years.
ICE activity
ICE is active in Minnesota, particularly in the Twin Cities, Rochester, and in the St. Cloud area. Enforcement operations have targeted the large Somali, Latino, and Southeast Asian immigrant communities.
School policies
Minneapolis Public Schools and St. Paul Public Schools have adopted policies limiting cooperation with immigration enforcement. The Minnesota Department of Education has issued guidance supporting welcoming school environments. Suburban districts in the metro area have varied in their formal adoption of protective policies.
Notes for advocates
Minnesota has the largest Somali diaspora community in the United States, concentrated in Minneapolis. The state also has large Hmong and Latino communities. St. Cloud has experienced significant tensions related to immigration and refugee resettlement. The Twin Cities' active advocacy community and supportive city governments have helped advance protective policies.
Is your district protected?
Find out whether your school district has a warrant-based policy in place, and what you can do if it doesn't.