St. Paul charter school shifts to online classes amid reported enforcement activity; community group warns immigrants to stay home
St. Paul, Minnesota (High Desert News Online) – Sejong Academy, a taxpayer-funded Korean immersion charter in St. Paul, shifted to online learning Jan. 14–15, 2026, citing concern for the “safety and well‑being” of its community amid reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity and local warnings.
Key takeaways
- Sejong Academy moved to online learning for Jan. 14–15, 2026, citing concerns for the “safety and well‑being” of its community (Sejong Academy website).
- Urban Village posted advisories urging undocumented immigrants to stay home amid reported enforcement activity, noting fear in the Myanmar community (AOL reporting; WFIN coverage).
- Public materials reviewed did not include an explicit link naming ICE as the cause; no ICE or local police confirmation was found in the sources checked.
Main content
Sejong Academy announcement and school profile
Sejong Academy posted a brief notice saying it would “proceed with online learning for the remainder of this week (January 14 and 15).” The message cited concern for the “safety and well‑being” of the school community without naming a specific threat or agency (Sejong Academy website).
School profile: Sejong Academy is a tuition‑free public charter at 2410 Stillwater Rd E in St. Paul focused on Korean immersion and Minnesota academic standards. The school lists services such as English learner support, special education and gifted programs, and uses instructional tools including Reading Eggs, Study Island and Duolingo (Sejong Academy enrollment form; Sejong Academy learning resources; Sejong Academy resources calendar).
Recent pages on the school site show regular activities — language practice trips and board meeting schedules — but those pages did not include an extended explanation tying the online shift to a named enforcement action (Sejong Academy board meetings).
Reported immigration enforcement activity and community response
Local reporting and social posts surfaced around the same time as the school’s notice. AOL and WFIN reported that Urban Village, a Minnesota community group, released a video and Instagram posts advising people without legal status to remain at home because of reported immigration enforcement activity.
Urban Village highlighted particular fear in the Myanmar community and warned of disruptions to daily life, urging caution and sheltering in place.
Note: Those stories tied a broader pattern of worry among immigrant communities to possible ICE presence, but the reporting did not include a public statement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirming raids near the school, nor did it cite an official police advisory directly connected to Sejong Academy’s closure.
What the reporting shows — and does not show
Multiple accounts emphasize the timing and community reaction: the school’s site notice and Urban Village’s advisories coincided. However, searches of the school’s public materials turned up no direct reference naming ICE as the reason for the closure. The school’s pages remain focused on curriculum, calendars and enrollment services, with only a brief safety notice about the online learning shift (Sejong Academy website).
At the time of reporting, neither Sejong Academy nor Urban Village issued extended press statements with corroborating timelines, and ICE had not posted a confirming statement in the sources reviewed. That leaves open questions about scale, scope and the nature of any enforcement activity that may have influenced the school’s decision.
Community impact, school operations and student services
Sejong Academy serves a diverse student body, including many English learners. Public enrollment materials show efforts to provide language‑accessible forms and supports, including materials in languages used by immigrant communities relevant to Myanmar populations (Sejong Academy enrollment form).
An abrupt switch to online learning can create logistical stress: arranging child care, modifying work schedules and navigating remote‑learning technology. Those challenges intensify for families with limited English proficiency or uncertain immigration status, particularly when community fear is elevated. Urban Village’s messaging aimed to reduce exposure by advising people to stay home, a step that can both protect individuals from immediate contact with authorities and also cut families off from services, school meals and routine supports (AOL reporting).
Verification and open questions
This account relies on the school’s online notice and third‑party coverage. Verifiable facts include the school’s announcement of online learning and Urban Village’s public advisory. Unverified elements include whether ICE conducted targeted enforcement near Sejong Academy or whether law enforcement issued advisories tied to the school’s decision. Reporters should seek direct comment from Sejong Academy leadership, Urban Village organizers, local police and ICE public affairs for contemporaneous confirmation.
Implications for The High Desert, California
Economic and school operations: Temporary closures, real or perceived, can ripple beyond the immediate locale. High Desert districts and charters should review emergency plans, arrange device distribution and provide multilingual guides (Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese and other common languages) so families can pivot to remote learning with less disruption.
Political consequences: For a politically moderate conservative audience, the balance between orderly enforcement and public safety matters. Elected officials and school boards should press for transparency from authorities when enforcement could affect schools to minimize harm to children’s education and family stability.
Social effects: The reported fear in the Myanmar community shows immigrant networks can be vulnerable to enforcement or rumors. Community organizations and faith groups in the High Desert should strengthen communication lines with schools so parents understand when in‑person schooling resumes and where to get food or counseling if families stay home out of fear.
Cultural relevance: The case highlights the need for culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach. Local agencies should provide clear, translated public‑safety guidance to prevent panic and maintain community trust.
Practical applications for residents:
- School leaders should maintain redundant alert systems — email, text, phone trees and translated notices — so parents can act quickly.
- Employers and small businesses should plan for short‑term absences if families must stay home unexpectedly.
- Nonprofits and faith groups can pre‑identify points of contact to help families access food, health services or legal advice.
Sources and where to read more
- Sejong Academy website (school announcement and resources)
- AOL reporting on the school closure and community reaction
- WFIN coverage referencing the school’s online shift
- Sejong Academy enrollment form
- Sejong Academy learning resources
- Sejong Academy resources calendar
- Sejong Academy board meetings
Reporting by High Desert News Online. For more details or comments, contact Sejong Academy, Urban Village, local law enforcement or ICE public affairs. This article will be updated as official statements or new verified information become available.
