MINNEAPOLIS — The Duluth Public Schools district has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a bid to reinstate protections that keep federal immigration enforcement off school property. Superintendent John Magas announced this legal action during a press conference on February 4, arguing that schools must remain safe havens for students.
Joining Duluth in this effort are Fridley Public Schools and Education Minnesota, the statewide teachers union. They are challenging the DHS’s decision to revoke a policy first established in the early 1990s, which designated schools as “sensitive locations” where immigration enforcement was limited. This policy was rescinded in January 2025, shortly after the beginning of the second Trump administration.
Magas emphasized the impact of the policy’s repeal, stating, “This was a simple and powerful promise that your child’s classroom should be a place of learning, not of fear.” The lawsuit follows a recent surge in immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota, with approximately 3,000 federal agents deployed across the state. Although DHS has announced the withdrawal of 700 agents, schools remain apprehensive about the absence of a clear policy regarding immigration enforcement.
The lawsuit highlights the anxiety faced by students and families due to the DHS’s actions. According to Magas, the presence of immigration agents has led to decreased school attendance, particularly among students of color, and has strained school resources as staff prepare for potential federal enforcement on campuses.
June Hoidel, a managing partner at Zimmerman and Reed, which is representing the districts in the lawsuit, stated, “This case was filed to restore clarity and legal boundaries around schools after those protections were removed without appropriate legal process.” The lawsuit asserts that the DHS failed to adhere to the necessary procedures under the Administrative Procedure Act when the sensitive locations policy was revoked.
Magas pointed out that while the Duluth school district has not yet experienced direct confrontations with ICE agents, the district has redirected approximately $573,000 worth of administrative resources towards emergency planning in response to the heightened threat. He noted that students, faculty, and administrators have felt the impacts of this uncertainty, leading to increased anxiety and a decline in attendance.
The lawsuit is part of a broader movement within Minnesota’s education community advocating for the reinstatement of clear standards that designate schools as areas free from ICE operations. Recently, the Duluth school district supported a letter signed by several education groups, including the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, urging lawmakers to take action. Amy Klobuchar, a U.S. Senator from Minnesota, has expressed her support for reestablishing schools as protected areas, stating, “We are not going to accept this as the new normal.”
Klobuchar has signed onto the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which aims to limit immigration enforcement actions at sensitive locations, including schools and medical facilities. She has called for solidarity among local communities to push for accountability and change in immigration enforcement practices.
In response to the lawsuit, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin assured that students are not the targets of federal agents. “ICE is not going to schools to arrest children — we are protecting children,” she stated, emphasizing that any enforcement actions would only occur in the interest of public safety.
Despite these reassurances, reports of federal agents conducting enforcement operations near or on school property have continued to surface. The lawsuit cites numerous instances of agents detaining individuals at bus stops and following students and staff to and from school.
Fridley Schools Superintendent Brenda Lewis shared her concerns about the negative impact of ICE’s actions on students and educators, stating, “We need this to stop, and we need this to stop immediately.” The situation has led to a significant drop in attendance across districts, with Fridley Schools reporting a nearly one-third decline during the ongoing Operation Metro Surge.
The implications of this legal challenge extend beyond just the Duluth district; it reflects a growing concern among educators across Minnesota about the safety and well-being of students in an increasingly tense environment. As the lawsuit unfolds, the focus remains on restoring trust and stability within schools, ensuring they remain welcoming and secure spaces for all children, regardless of their background or immigration status.
