Minneapolis Public Schools canceled classes for Thursday and Friday after U.S. Border Patrol agents detained a staff member outside Roosevelt High School on Wednesday. The staff member, a special education assistant and U.S. citizen, was taken to the Whipple Federal Building and released later that night.
A representative from the educators’ federation expressed relief over the school closure, citing concerns over the presence of Border Patrol agents near schools, which disrupts the learning environment and poses risks to students and staff.
The school district emphasized its commitment to maintaining a safe learning environment and stated the closure was a precautionary measure. They are also providing support to those affected by the incident.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security noted that a U.S. citizen had impeded immigration operations, leading to a chase that ended near the school. They claimed that at no point were students or staff the target of the operation.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes outside the school, with federal agents and community members clashing. Several community observers reported seeing agents using aggressive tactics and deploying chemical weapons on the crowd, which included students.
Students and staff expressed their horror at the situation, with many feeling that the presence of federal agents has created an atmosphere of fear. Despite the trauma, some students believe this event could foster unity within the school community.
Teachers voiced concerns over the federal agents’ actions, emphasizing that the use of force on school grounds demonstrates a troubling disregard for the safety of children and educators. They called for accountability and a reassessment of how federal agencies operate in community spaces.
