Saint Paul Public Schools, the second-largest school district in Minnesota, is launching a temporary virtual learning option starting January 22 as families express concern about the increased presence of federal immigration agents in the Twin Cities. As first reported by Fox News, the district cited a sharp and immediate drop in attendance as the driving factor behind the decision.
Attendance data revealed significant absences among students who speak Spanish at home. On January 9, two days after a fatal shooting involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, 51% of students from Spanish-speaking households did not attend class, highlighting the scope of the disruption facing schools in the district.
The heightened concern follows a January 7, 2026 incident in Minneapolis in which 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer during a federal enforcement operation. The event intensified tensions across the area and contributed to growing unease among families with children attending local schools.
The district is reacting to fear-driven absences
Superintendent Dr. Stacie Stanley confirmed in an update that she received hundreds of messages from parents requesting a virtual learning option amid ongoing ICE operations. She said the goal is to keep students connected to their education, whether they attend in person or remotely, depending on their circumstances. This comes after federal officers opened fire again days after the fatal shooting, with local leaders urging caution and calm.
The temporary virtual option is intended for students who do not feel comfortable attending school buildings. Families in the district are expected to receive a registration link by email, and no classes will be held on January 20 and January 21 to allow staff to prepare for the transition, in addition to the previously scheduled closure for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
District officials said the plan will be reviewed weekly to determine whether adjustments are needed. Administrators acknowledged that the situation remains fluid and that attendance patterns will continue to guide decisions.
Other districts in the area have also been affected. Minneapolis Public Schools canceled classes on January 8 and January 9 following the shooting before resuming in-person learning the following Monday.
Tensions have spilled into public spaces, with community members confronting federal agents and students participating in protests outside the State Capitol in St. Paul. Additionally, the controversy over federal immigration operations has drawn national attention, such as when a billionaire donor’s support of an ICE officer’s legal defense ignited debate amid broader scrutiny of the shooting.
The Minnesota teachers union has called for ICE to avoid school grounds, and district leaders have emphasized that the virtual option is meant to maintain instructional access while responding to family concerns.
Published: Jan 15, 2026 05:45 pm