1. United States
2. Minn.
3. Letter

I am writing to you as a concerned parent and resident of Minneapolis regarding the recent federal law enforcement actions near and at Roosevelt High School this week. On January 7, federal immigration agents were present on school grounds during dismissal, and videos show agents tackling individuals and deploying chemical irritants in the vicinity of students and staff. This sequence of events prompted Minneapolis Public Schools to cancel classes for the rest of the week out of safety concerns and offer remote learning options for families who fear sending their children to school while enforcement operations are ongoing.  My family and I were deeply alarmed by what we witnessed. Families send their children to school to learn, grow, and prepare to contribute to our community. Instead, students here and in other parts of the district are now fearful of attending classes not because of classmates, but because of armed federal agents, unmarked vehicles, and chemical irritants in school surroundings. The current situation is driving students away from school and creating an environment of fear rather than safety. This fear is not limited to immigrant families. My own children are afraid of being at school because of the presence of agents in tactical gear and the deployment of irritants that send students and staff running to safety. This is not the environment any parent wants for their children, nor one that promotes learning or community trust. Schools should be safe, welcoming spaces free from federal enforcement actions. I respectfully urge you to support legislation or oversight that would prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and related federal agencies from conducting raids or enforcement activities on or immediately adjacent to K–12 school campuses during school hours. These actions should be subject to clear guidelines that protect the safety and civil liberties of all students, families, and staff. I appreciate your attention to this serious matter and urge you to take action to ensure our schools are places of education not fear.