St. Paul charter school moves classes online amid safety concerns as community group warns immigrants to stay home during reported ICE activity
Sejong Academy, a tuition-free Korean immersion charter in St. Paul, moved classes online mid-January citing concerns for the “safety and well-being” of its community — a decision that coincided with reported ICE activity and an advisory from Urban Village.
Key takeaways
- Sejong Academy shifted to remote learning for the week of Jan. 14–15 citing student and staff safety; the notice did not explicitly mention immigration enforcement. (Fox News, WCCS Radio)
- Urban Village advised noncitizens and people without green cards to stay home amid reported enforcement, prompting missed work, appointments and school activities.
- Public filings and reporting show Sejong Academy has received more than $7 million in government grants and operates a 100% Korean immersion model for early grades. (Sejong Academy; Fox News)
Main story
School moves online, notice leaves questions
Sejong Academy posted a brief notice announcing that classes would move online for the remainder of the week to protect the “safety and well-being” of students and staff. The announcement did not identify the specific risks, nor did it state whether the school coordinated with local law enforcement, district officials, or community organizations before the decision. Reporting cited coverage by Fox News and WCCS Radio.
Urban Village advisory and reported ICE activity
Urban Village, a Minnesota community organization, posted messages on Instagram and released a video advising noncitizens and people without lawful permanent residency to stay home, avoid driving and limit contact amid what it described as heightened immigration enforcement activity. The group highlighted substantial fear and disruption within the local Myanmar community. Reports connected the timing of the advisory with the school’s shift, though Sejong Academy’s notice did not explicitly reference immigration enforcement. (Sources cited: Fox News; WCCS Radio.)
Community impact: missed work, missed appointments, fear
Local leaders and reporting documented immediate ripple effects after the advisory: parents missed work, medical appointments were postponed and children missed in-person instruction and extracurricular activities. These disruptions can affect household income, access to health care and student learning progress in both the short and long term. Community organizations are often the trusted channels for information during such events, particularly for immigrant groups like the Myanmar diaspora in Minnesota.
“The advisory reflected substantial fear and disruption in the local Myanmar community.” — Urban Village messaging and local reporting
What remains unclear
- Coordination: Whether Sejong Academy coordinated with local officials or law enforcement before shifting to online classes.
- Enforcement details: Whether ICE conducted enforcement near the school or in neighborhoods that created immediate safety concerns — reporting referenced activity but the school’s announcement did not confirm a link.
- Scale of disruption: The precise economic and educational effects on families remain undocumented beyond anecdotal accounts.
Sejong Academy funding and mission
Sejong Academy is a taxpayer-funded public charter that describes a 100% Korean immersion model for kindergarten and first grade, with English language arts introduced in later grades. Public filings reviewed by reporters and cited in coverage indicate the school has received more than $7 million in government grants, underscoring its public funding status. (See Sejong Academy — Korean Immersion and reporting in Fox News and WCCS Radio.)
Implications for Fresno, California
Economic impact: Fresno hosts many immigrant families working in sectors where missed shifts reduce pay or risk jobs. Advisory messages and sudden school closures can force parents to miss work and create childcare needs.
Political consequences: Reports of enforcement activity and school disruptions can spur debate over federal policy and local responses, prompting calls for clearer communication from elected officials and agencies.
Social and cultural effects: Fear can reduce medical care use, school engagement and civic participation. Messaging tailored to local language groups (Hmong, Punjabi, Spanish, Burmese, etc.) and involving community organizations is critical to reduce misinformation.
Practical steps: Fresno schools and service providers should review emergency communication plans, coordinate with community groups, and prepare contingency supports for families who must stay home.
Sources
- Fox News: “Taxpayer-funded Minnesota charter school shuts down in-person learning amid ICE raids”
- WCCS Radio (RSS coverage): “Taxpayer-funded Minnesota charter school shuts down in-person learning amid ICE raids”
- Sejong Academy: “Korean Immersion” program description
Reporting based on public notices and local coverage; the school’s announcement did not explicitly reference immigration enforcement.
