01/29/2026
Statement in Response to Recent Immigration Enforcement Activity in Minnesota
MinneTESOL stands with Minnesota’s multilingual learners, their families, and the educators who serve them during this deeply distressing time. Recent federal immigration enforcement actions have created widespread fear in immigrant and refugee communities across our state. In schools and programs at every age level, English learner attendance has dropped sharply as families stay home out of concern for their safety.
When fear takes hold, learning cannot.
Educators and community members are responding with compassion and deep commitment, but this extraordinary work is taking a considerable toll. We see you. We know you are teaching those who can attend, planning rapid shifts to hyflex and asynchronous learning, and spending evenings and weekends delivering food, coordinating transportation and laundry runs, and checking in on families. This is trauma-informed crisis care layered onto already demanding professional roles.
MinneTESOL members, we know you are exhausted, and this weight of care is not sustainable.
MinneTESOL affirms the dignity and humanity of all multilingual learners and their families, and we honor the incredible work of English learner educators across Minnesota. We remain committed to voicing the concerns of our members and advocating for schools and programs to remain places of safety, welcome, and learning in the midst of fear.
May our classrooms remain places of refuge, our teaching acts of care, and our collective response grounded in courage, compassion, and hope.
Thank you for all you are carrying. MinneTESOL stands with you, now and in the days ahead.
MinneTESOL 2026 Executive Board
