St. Paul charter school moves classes online amid reports of ICE activity as community group urges residents to stay home
Sejong Academy, a publicly funded Korean immersion charter in St. Paul, moved to online learning Jan. 14–15, citing unspecified safety concerns as reports of ICE activity and a community advisory urged noncitizen residents to stay home.
- Temporary online shift: Sejong Academy announced remote learning for Jan. 14–15 citing concern for the community’s “safety and well-being.” Source: Fox News.
- Community advisory: Urban Village posted video and social guidance urging people without citizenship or green cards to remain home during reported enforcement; coverage cited by Fox News.
- Public funding scrutiny: Records referenced in reporting indicate Sejong Academy has received more than $7 million in government grants (reported via WCCS Radio).
Online shift and school notice
Sejong Academy Minnesota posted a concise notice stating, “Sejong Academy will proceed with online learning for the remainder of this week (January 14 and 15).” Students attended remotely on Wednesday and Thursday; Friday was a scheduled staff professional development day.
The school’s public statement did not name ICE, immigration enforcement, or any other specific threat as the reason for the change. Initial coverage referenced by reporting: Fox News.
Reporting that reviewed IRS and grant records noted Sejong Academy has received substantial government grants totaling more than $7 million, underscoring its taxpayer-funded status; those records were cited in local coverage and referenced WCCS Radio.
Urban Village guidance and community response
Urban Village, a Minnesota community group serving the Myanmar community, released a video and social posts advising people without citizenship or lawful permanent residency to stay home, avoid driving and limit contact amid reported heightened enforcement activity. Coverage documented by Fox News.
Organizers said guidance aimed to protect vulnerable residents while local authorities and service providers assessed the situation.
Parents reported missed work, postponed medical appointments and kept children home from school and activities out of fear. Community advocates characterized the advisory as a protective measure for residents who might be at risk during enforcement actions.
Coordination and official responses
It remains unclear whether Sejong Academy coordinated its decision with Urban Village, local authorities, or county education officials. The school’s public notice did not specify a link to immigration enforcement. Reporting sources include Fox News and WCCS Radio.
Attempts to obtain additional comment from Sejong Academy administrators were not documented in initial reporting. Local law enforcement and federal agencies did not immediately confirm or deny enforcement actions tied to the timeline cited by community groups.
Community disruption and fear
Organizers reported rapid behavior changes as families weighed safety against daily needs. Parents kept children home both from direct fear of enforcement and uncertainty about safe travel; service providers warned of reduced access to social services and school-based supports.
Local counselors and nonprofits emphasized that even short-term attendance disruption can have outsized effects on students’ learning and household stability, particularly for communities with limited resources. The full scale of missed appointments, lost wages or delayed services was not available publicly.
Recordkeeping and public funding questions
Sejong Academy’s status as a taxpayer-funded charter prompted scrutiny. Reporting cited IRS filings and grant records indicating the school has received more than $7 million in government grants, raising questions about transparency and communication when public schools alter operations during emergencies. Source cited in reporting: WCCS Radio.
Stakeholders called for clearer coordination between schools, community organizations and public-safety officials when incidents prompt sudden operational changes.
Investigative questions remaining
- Was there documented ICE activity near Sejong Academy on Jan. 14–15, and what was the nature and scope? (No federal confirmation in current reporting.) Source: Fox News.
- Did Sejong Academy coordinate its shift with local authorities, Urban Village, or county education officials? The school’s public notice did not specify. Source: WCCS Radio.
- What steps will schools and city agencies take to ensure families receive clear, timely information balancing safety, attendance and access to services during enforcement or public-safety concerns?
Implications for Los Angeles, California
Although the event occurred in St. Paul, its dynamics have relevance for Los Angeles, where large immigrant communities and publicly funded charter schools coexist. Key considerations:
- Emergency communication: Districts and charters should review plans to ensure clarity about safety decisions and the source of guidance — whether from schools, community groups or law enforcement.
- Service access: City agencies and health providers should coordinate with nonprofits to reduce disruptions to medical care, school attendance and essential services.
- Economic impact: Short-term advisories can cause lost wages; contingency supports (remote learning, food assistance, workplace protections) help families manage closures.
- Trust and outreach: Clear, multilingual legal-information campaigns can reduce panic and clarify rights during encounters with immigration enforcement.
- Community organizations: Engage groups like Urban Village proactively so advisories are accurate, targeted and coordinated with schools and service providers.
Reporting notes and sources
This article draws on reporting published by Fox News and WCCS Radio, which described Sejong Academy’s temporary move to online learning and Urban Village’s guidance amid reported enforcement activity.
See initial coverage: Fox News and WCCS Radio.
