Sejong Academy Shifts Online Amid ICE Activity in St. Paul

St. Paul charter school moves classes online amid reported ICE activity; community group urges immigrants to stay home

Sejong Academy, a tuition-free Korean-immersion charter in St. Paul, moved to remote learning Jan. 14–15, 2026, citing concern for the “safety and well‑being” of its community as reports of ICE activity circulated and prompted community advisories.

What happened at Sejong Academy

On Jan. 14 and 15, 2026, Sejong Academy informed families that classes would be held remotely to protect the “safety and well‑being” of students and staff. The school’s notice, posted on its website, scheduled two days of remote learning followed by a staff day Friday and did not specify threats or name agencies.

The announcement did not mention ICE or immigration enforcement directly. Reporting cited by Fox News and WCCS Radio notes that the school prioritized safety but offered no detailed explanation linking the decision to enforcement activity.

Urban Village message and community reaction

Local community group Urban Village released a video and Instagram posts advising people it described as noncitizens and those without green cards to stay home, avoid driving and limit contact during what it described as heightened immigration enforcement. The group warned that this advisory caused fear and disruption, particularly in the local Myanmar community, with many families reportedly missing work, medical appointments and children staying home from activities (Fox News).

“Heightened fear within the Myanmar community” led families to stay home, skip appointments and keep children out of school and activities, according to community reports.

Coordination, communication and unanswered questions

There is no public record showing Sejong Academy cited Urban Village in its notice or that the school coordinated the decision with ICE or local law enforcement. School leaders told families they were prioritizing safety but did not provide specifics about the nature of the concerns or whether officials consulted law enforcement or community groups before switching to remote learning (Fox News, WCCS Radio).

Why families stayed home

Local advocates and community organizations explain that fear of immigration enforcement often prompts families to avoid public spaces even when operations are unconfirmed. Urban Village’s advisories urged those without legal immigration status to limit movement during the reported enforcement period, producing ripple effects such as:

• Missed shifts and lost wages for hourly workers
• Skipped medical appointments and reduced access to care
• Children absent from school and extracurriculars

When social posts from community groups or informal channels carry urgent warnings, families frequently respond quickly, creating confusion for schools and service providers trying to balance safety with access to in-person learning.

Questions about transparency and public funding

Sejong Academy is a tuition-free Korean-immersion public charter school. Reporting referenced IRS filings reviewed by outside reporters showing the school reported receiving more than $7 million in government grants, a detail that has drawn attention because publicly funded schools are expected to explain closures and to coordinate safety responses with families and local authorities (Fox News).

Parents and public watchdogs have questioned whether the school provided sufficient transparency about the rationale for the remote shift and whether protocols exist to ensure families — including non‑English speakers and undocumented households — receive clear, multilingual communications.

About Sejong Academy and public funding

Sejong Academy operates a Korean-immersion curriculum and receives public funding. News accounts cited IRS filings showing government grants exceeding $7 million, reinforcing the school’s status as a taxpayer-supported institution and why its operational decisions often draw scrutiny (Fox News).

Implications for the Imperial Valley, California

Although events occurred in St. Paul, the sequence holds lessons for regions such as the Imperial Valley where immigrant families form a significant part of the workforce and community life. Potential implications include:

• Economic impact: Staying home during enforcement reports could disrupt agricultural and service sectors and hurt hourly-paid households.
• Political consequences: Officials may face calls for clearer communication and protocols between schools, community groups and law enforcement.
• Social effects: Fear-driven isolation can lead to missed medical care, school absences and reduced civic participation.
• Cultural relevance: Multilingual outreach and trust-building are critical when advisories spread rapidly via social media.
• Practical applications: Districts and charter schools should review emergency communication plans, multilingual notifications and coordination steps for remote learning decisions.

Reporting and follow-up

Parents, community groups and public officials in St. Paul continue seeking clarity about the timing and reasons for Sejong Academy’s online shift and how it related — if at all — to reported immigration enforcement. Journalists and officials are pursuing follow-up to determine whether enforcement activity was confirmed by ICE or local law enforcement and whether further steps are needed to ensure both safety and the right to education for all students (Fox News, WCCS Radio).

For reference, the school’s public notice and Urban Village’s social posts were cited in local reporting. Reporters continue to review public records and IRS filings referenced in coverage to confirm timelines, funding details and any official coordination that may have occurred.