St. Paul charter school moves classes online amid safety concerns as community group warns immigrants after reported ICE activity
Sejong Academy, a tuition-free Korean-immersion charter in St. Paul, moved to online learning Jan. 14–15, citing safety concerns, as Urban Village warned undocumented residents to stay home amid reported ICE activity, disrupting families and services.
- Temporary shift: Sejong Academy announced online learning for Jan. 14–15 to “prioritize the safety and well-being” of its community.
- Community advisory: Urban Village advised noncitizens to remain home and limit movement amid reported ICE activity, prompting missed work and appointments.
- No clear link: The school notice did not mention immigration enforcement and did not confirm coordination with community groups.
- Broader implications: The episode highlights risks for immigrant communities and the need for clearer communication from schools and local officials.
Sejong Academy’s statement, funding and role in the community
Sejong Academy, a public, tuition-free Korean-immersion charter located at 2410 Stillwater Road East in St. Paul, posted a brief notice saying it would “proceed with online learning for the remainder of this week (January 14 and 15)” and thanked families for cooperation as the school “prioritize[s] the safety and well-being of our school community.” The notice provided no specific threats or mention of immigration enforcement. See the Sejong Academy notice and the school site for the original postings.
Funding context: Reporting reviewed IRS filings and noted Sejong received more than $7 million in government grants, a detail cited to contextualize the school’s status as a taxpayer-funded institution in coverage verified by Fox News and WCCS Radio.
Urban Village advisory and community disruption
Urban Village released video and social posts advising undocumented residents and people without green cards to remain home, avoid driving and limit contact because of what it described as heightened U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in St. Paul neighborhoods. The advisory was framed as a protective precaution to reduce encounters with federal agents.
Impact reported: Local accounts said parents missed work, families skipped medical appointments, and children missed school and activities beyond Sejong’s announced online days, with the Myanmar community particularly affected.
Unclear link between the school decision and the immigration advisory
At this stage, it is not clear whether Sejong Academy’s move was in response to Urban Village’s advisory or to another safety concern. Sejong’s public notice did not reference ICE, immigration enforcement, or Urban Village, and the school did not say whether it coordinated with community groups. Urban Village likewise did not state its advisory was issued because of any school decision. The overlapping timing prompted families and observers to link the events in real time. Sources include Fox News and WCCS Radio.
What officials and community leaders have said (and not said)
Sejong’s notice limited its language to dates and a general safety concern; it did not identify whether law enforcement or immigration authorities were involved. As of reporting, local government and federal agencies had not issued statements directly tying the school change to immigration enforcement. Community groups framed advisories as precautions based on reports or fears of ICE activity.
Investigative questions pending further reporting
- Specific safety concerns: What detailed threats or information led Sejong to move online, and which officials inside or outside the school informed that decision? See Sejong Academy resources calendar.
- Coordination: Did Sejong consult local law enforcement, district officials, or community groups before announcing the temporary shift? (No coordination cited in coverage: Fox News.)
- Basis for advisory: What information led Urban Village to issue its immigration advisory, and what sources determined the scope and timing of suspected ICE activity?
- Enforcement documentation: Were any formal immigration-enforcement actions documented in neighborhoods cited by Urban Village during the advisory period? See reporting at WCCS Radio.
Implications for Las Vegas, Nevada
Although events occurred in St. Paul, the dynamics can ripple in Las Vegas immigrant communities:
- Economic impact: Hourly workers may miss shifts, affecting wages and local business operations.
- Political consequences: Urban-moderate voters and leaders may demand clearer policies balancing student safety and agency cooperation.
- Social effects: Fear can cause missed medical appointments, delayed benefits access, and interrupted education.
- Cultural relevance: Language- and culture-specific institutions matter; clear multilingual communication and partnerships are essential.
Practical applications for local institutions
Schools: Develop clear protocols for safety-related communication, state when details can be shared, and coordinate proactively with community groups to avoid mixed messages.
Community organizations and employers: Document the basis for advisories, explain recommended actions, and prepare employers for sudden absenteeism with flexible leave policies.
Local government and law enforcement: Preplan communication strategies that protect civil liberties while providing timely verified information to reduce rumors and panic.
Information and trust: Build relationships ahead of crises to improve verified information flows and reduce reliance on informal advisories that can cause disruption.
Reporting notes and sources
This article is based on local reporting and public notices. See original coverage and source pages:
Further reporting is needed to confirm whether Sejong Academy’s online shift directly responded to immigration enforcement activity and to document any federal actions in neighborhoods cited by community groups.
