The increased presence of Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) in the Twin Cities has raised concern among many students and families in the Mounds View district. ICE, a branch of the Homeland Security government agency, aims to enforce immigration laws and standards by detaining and deporting illegal immigrants, as well as people who have overstayed their visas. Their tactics in carrying out these objectives have become very controversial as of late. In some areas around the Twin Cities, Somali, Hmong and Latino families have expressed fear and a sense of feeling unsafe in response to the ICE operations taking place.

The following events have occurred recently: Minnesota has received a surge of ICE agents coming into the Twin Cities area. No news shows where they will be heading in terms of the school’s proximity, but it’s believed to be their largest operation yet. Not only did ICE agents flood the streets of Minnesota communities, but one ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year old woman, on Jan. 7. The Federal Government claims the woman was trying to run over an ICE agent, and in turn, the ICE agent shot the woman as “self-defense.” Many people who have watched multiple angles of videos from the scene believe it was very clear that Renee was only driving away from them, not running into them.
To say the least, concerns about immigration officers taking closer steps in intercepting the Mounds View district have pushed students to speak up on the topic of ICE. “I think it’s disgusting,” said senior Ella Kirubakeren. “I think ICE needs to get out of Minnesota.”

Principal Rob Reetz has informed students about actions the school is taking to ensure protection from ICE. “The school board makes the policy. I enact the practices. We do not share information about students, and we don’t have immigration status on students and families on file,” said Reetz. “If ICE were to come with a warrant, we would still require our lawyers to review that warrant, meaning when they present it to us, we would still not allow access to the school until our lawyers tell us we have to.” With the practices enacted, ICE activity should not be able to disrupt the students and staff at school. The school administration, including the district, is doing everything it can to ensure the safety of students and their families. For the most part, district staff who act as cultural liaisons at the school communicate with families, serving as trusted people who speak the same language as the family they communicate with.

It is not just the district staff and administration who are acting on concerns about keeping ICE away from schools. Students are also organizing walkouts and peaceful protests with positive and hopeful messages. Reetz continues to communicate to students and families. “I want everyone here to choose love over hate and care over fear. Dignity and relationships are the values and glue that bind our school community together,” he said.

Many students at Mounds View feel ICE actions toward minorities in the Twin Cities are inhumane. “I don’t like it. I don’t think anybody wants them here, and as the mayor said, I think they should get the f— out of Minneapolis. At the end of the day, they’re doing absolutely nothing,” said junior Ingrid Leafblad. Multiple schools around the Twin Cities, such as Irondale High School and Woodbury High School, have demonstrated their frustration with ICE by launching walkouts that express the outrage and resentment students feel towards ICE continuing their operations that further impact more and more communities. Mounds View students also planned a walkout on Jan. 20 to spread hope and unity in the community, but the organizers canceled it in response to concerns around bringing attention to the school and possibly causing increased ICE presence.

Students in the district have also observed the personal impacts of the recent immigration policies and actions. Senior Mohamed Diriye stated that the presence of ICE operations is negatively impacting the local Somali community and student morale, creating a barrier to education. He noted that the constant worry about neighbors or family members makes it difficult for students to focus on their studies. Diriye stresses the importance of student advocacy for maintaining a supportive environment. “We have to look out for each other because no one else understands our community like we do,” he said. Ultimately, he believes that by standing together and sharing resources, students can reclaim their sense of security and focus on their futures despite these external pressures.

Navigating through a time filled with uncertainty and doubt, the district remains focused on keeping its students and staff protected and in safe hands. The community continues to respond to the immigration activity through walkouts, protests and fundraising efforts. The school administrators have set plans in place to protect their students and families, aiming to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment. Despite outside pressure, the district remains determined to stand by its community.