A charter school in Minnesota, funded by taxpayers, transitioned to online classes this week due to safety concerns. At the same time, a community group advised undocumented individuals to stay indoors following reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, which have led to fear and disruption within the local Myanmar community.
Sejong Academy, located in St. Paul, declared that classes would be conducted online for the rest of the week. This decision was made to ensure the “safety and well-being” of the school community, as stated in an announcement on their website.
“Sejong Academy will transition to online learning for the remainder of this week (January 14 and 15),” the message on the school’s website informed. “We appreciate your ongoing support and cooperation as we focus on the safety and well-being of our school community.”
The school specified that students would participate in virtual classes on Wednesday and Thursday, with Friday already scheduled as a day off for staff development. However, the announcement did not detail the specific safety issues that led to this decision.
Concurrently, hundreds rallied in front of the Minnesota State Capitol, protesting against ongoing immigration enforcement activities in Minnesota and condemning the recent death of Renee Good, who was shot by an ICE officer last week in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 14, 2026. (Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
This move coincided with Urban Village, a community group in Minnesota, releasing a video and sharing messages on Instagram concerning immigration enforcement actions, urging undocumented individuals to stay at home for their safety.
In the video, a representative of Urban Village said the organization was communicating urgent information “regarding ICE,” while another speaker advised people without a green card or proof of citizenship to stay home and avoid opening their doors to people they do not recognize.
The video also referenced schools offering online learning options for families concerned about sending children to school.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers question a man about his status on Lake Street near Karmel Mall in Minnesota on Dec. 10, 2025. (Christopher Juhn/Anadolu via Getty Images)
In a separate Instagram post, Urban Village said members of Minnesota’s Myanmar diaspora had been detained by ICE and U.S. Border Patrol and transferred to detention centers outside the state.
The organization claimed some detainees were pressured to sign documents waiving legal rights and alleged enforcement actions that may have violated policies or laws, citing information obtained from a public official.
Protesters rally on Portland Street in Minneapolis, Minn., following federal agents fatally shooting a woman on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
Urban Village said it was advising noncitizens and non-green card holders to remain home, avoid driving and limit contact amid what it described as heightened enforcement, adding that the guidance had caused parents to miss work, medical appointments to be skipped and children to miss school and activities.
Sejong Academy did not reference immigration enforcement or ICE in its online learning announcement, and it is unclear whether the school coordinated with Urban Village or adjusted operations in response to the organization’s guidance.
According to IRS filings reviewed by ProPublica and verified by Fox News Digital, Sejong Academy reported receiving more than $7 million in government grants, underscoring its status as a publicly funded charter school.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Sejong Academy and Urban Village for comment.
