Education Action Team Project 2026
The Education Team is a group:
interested in highlighting issues within the education system.
We are fighting for our community.
We’re a group of high school students from different schools in the Twin Cities.
We are creating this blog because:
We want to show how the presence of ICE has impacted students’ education
We want to spread awareness around this issue because student voices matter
Survey Responses:
The color of the text background corresponds to the color of the text highlight.
How did you feel when ICE came to the Twin Cities?
Did you protest? If you did, how did it go?
What resources did your school have to help you?
Did ICE affect your education and learning? If so, how?
How did your community support one another?
What's one message you'd give to your community?
Student Reflection: Written by AJR and AV
When Ice was ramping up to Minnesota the first encounter I had was 2 weeks before new year. I was being driven to school by my mother and she said she’d seen ICE arresting someone not even a couple of blocks from my school. In the days and weeks following this encounter, I noticed my mother grow increasingly paranoid with each passing day. Till suddenly I was no longer allowed to leave my home or walk to and from school. Further down the line I was no longer allowed to attend school. I had become trapped in my own home for over a month and I had never felt more miserable. I felt utter hopelessness and I was infuriated because of the injustice that would forcibly fall upon me for no other reason than the fact I looked different. I want to see that there is never another moment in life where I or someone is denied their human right to safely exist.
— By AJR
When I first heard ICE was in Minnesota, I was pretty scared but at the same time, not really affected because it was mostly happening in Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Since I live in Brooklyn Park, I don’t really hear anything about ICE in my area besides Minneapolis and Saint Paul. I was a bit scared to go to school but I still went for my education.
— By AV
News Articles Written by Mya Htay:
Student Introduction:
My name is Mya Htay and I am a junior attending Central Senior High School. I joined my school’s newspaper club so that I could write impactful articles on issues important to me. As an immigrant myself — a Karen refugee from Thailand — I noticed the definite impact of ICE presence on my community. That ties into the reason I wrote these articles; I want to use my voice to spread the word about the impact of ICE because this is an important issue that deserves recognition.
How ‘The Most Instagrammed Image in Minnesota’ Became Something Greater
Resources about ICE:
Know Your Rights
You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to speak to a lawyer.
You do NOT have to share things about your immigration status, your criminal record, or where you were born BUT DO NOT LIE. Ask to speak to a lawyer.
You do NOT have to give them your consular documents or passport unless they have a warrant from a judge.
You do NOT have to sign anything.
Visit immdefense.org/kyr for more information and also Spanish translation.
You can report unlawful conduct, racial profiling, and human rights violations at:
ICE Observers & Protesters: Report Unlawful Conduct by Federal Agents | ACLU of Minnesota
Report Racial Profiling, Warrantless Stops, and Detention from Federal Agents | ACLU of Minnesota
Human Rights Investigations | City of Saint Paul, Minnesota
Contact elected officials:
Who Represents Me? | Minnesota Legislature
Contact Amy Klobuchar | U.S. Senator representing Minnesota
Contact Tina Smith | U.S. Senator representing Minnesota
Contact Minnesota Members of Congress | mn.gov
Fundraisers/Organizations that are helping:
Neighbors Helping Neighbors - Twin Cities ICE Relief Fund
Aiming to raise $1,300,000 to help 1,000 families that are experiencing urgent financial crisis in the aftermath of ICE on Twin Cities communities
Donations can help provide rent relief, groceries delivered, and necessary supplies like toilet papers, diapers, etc.
National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) - Donate/start a fundraising page, volunteer to be a pro bono (for the public good) attorney, volunteer to translate
Wilson Foundation - Donate here to help keep families housed through a matching fund (every dollar you give will be fully matched and your contribution is tax deductible!)
You can also fill out an “Adopt a Rent” form to help a family directly pay their rent if you are able through this link.
Other ways to help:
Support immigrant/refugee owned business and restaurants
Link to list but feel free to research more!
Just stay informed with reliable news (some examples are Sahan Journal, NPR, MPR News, Brennan Center for Justice, and more)
Listen to friends, family, and other loved ones. Ask about their experiences and provide emotional support!
Remember, even through this difficult time, we can get through this – neighbors supporting neighbors and community uplifting each other. We are still on a road to healing, so make sure to take care of yourself and take care of others by practicing empathy and love through this rought patch.
