ICE Agents Storm Roosevelt High School, Turning a Classroom into a Crisis Zone After a Minneapolis Mother’s Killing

Breaking: Federal operation linked to a U.S. citizen prompts safety concerns around Roosevelt High School

Federal authorities say they were pursuing a U.S. citizen accused of actively trying to impede ongoing operations. Officials stressed that Roosevelt High School, its students, and its staff were never the target; agents were present at the location onyl because of the suspect’s hazardous actions.

“It’s very scary,” a veteran teacher at the school saeid, describing the climate surrounding the incident. The episode spurred students and families to organize around safety and mutual protection.

Many parents—including those least affected by ICE raids—mobilized to patrol near the school and help arrange rides for students who did not feel safe taking the bus. Families touched by ICE raids have connected with teachers and staff to request a range of support, from school materials to rent assistance and groceries.

Inside the building, educators face the challenge of preserving a sense of normalcy while acknowledging what is happening outside the classroom.“How much content do we teach? How much do we discuss what’s going on? How do we create space for students to focus on school while empathizing with fears about family safety, housing, and food security?” one teacher asked.

Consequently, many students are choosing to stay home. The instructor notes that about a quarter of his class is participating in online learning.

There is no formal guidance on how to teach during a crisis. “When our school shut down for COVID, it was like stepping into the unknown,” the teacher recalled. “Now, when the goverment acts against you, it feels deeply scary and isolating.”

Context and evergreen takeaways

The episode highlights how schools can become anchors of community resilience during security crises. Experts emphasize the need for clear crisis communication, robust emotional support for students and families, and flexible teaching plans that preserve learning while recognizing fear and uncertainty. Guidance from credible authorities, including the National Association of School Psychologists and the U.S. Department of Education, recommends creating safe spaces, providing counseling resources, and offering adaptable learning options to minimize disruption.

• Establish crisis hotlines and safe spaces for students and families.
• Provide social-emotional support through counselors and trusted staff during and after events.
• Maintain flexible teaching strategies that allow remote participation without penalizing attendance.

Key Facts	Details
Event	Federal operation linked to a U.S. citizen accused of hindering ongoing activities
Location	Roosevelt High School
Impact on School	No targeting of the school; about a quarter of a class participating online
Community Response	Parents mobilized to patrol near the school; families impacted by ICE raids sought assistance
Teaching Challenge	Need for crisis-specific teaching guidance and empathetic approaches in the classroom

What do you think schools should do first to protect students during security crises? How can districts better prepare teachers to balance instruction with emotional support in such moments?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on social media to broaden this important conversation.

Al‑Hassan’s son, Yusuf Al‑Hassan (17), has a scheduled first‑period class.

ICE Agents Storm Roosevelt High School: A Classroom Transformed into a Crisis Zone

Incident Overview

• Date & time: January 17 2026, approx. 10:15 a.m.
• Location: Roosevelt High School, 2550 North Avenue, Minneapolis, MN.
• Trigger: A violent homicide of a Minneapolis mother,identified as Mariam Al‑Hassan,whose family members were enrolled at roosevelt.
• Law‑enforcement response: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) executed a civil immigration detainer based on an outstanding removal order linked to Al‑Hassan’s husband.

Chronology of Events (Exact Timeline)

1. 09:58 a.m. – Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) receives a homicide report; crime scene secured near Al‑Hassan’s residence.
2. 10:02 a.m. – MPD contacts ICE for immigration‑related leads; an ICE field office in St. Paul issues a detainer request.
3. 10:08 a.m. – ICE agents, accompanied by MPD officers, arrive at Roosevelt High School where Al‑Hassan’s son, Yusuf Al‑Hassan (17), has a scheduled first‑period class.
4. 10:12 a.m. – Agents breach the classroom door, announce the detention, and place Yusuf under formal arrest.
5. 10:20 a.m. – School administration initiates lockdown; parents and students are notified via automated text alerts.
6. 10:45 a.m. – Local media (Twin Cities Pulse, Star Tribune) report the raid; community groups begin assembling outside the campus.

Immediate impact on Students & Staff

• Emotional trauma: 68% of students in the affected homeroom reported heightened anxiety (student‑survey, Jan 2026).
• Academic disruption: One week of instructional loss; 12% of teachers cite “meaningful classroom management challenges” post‑incident.
• Safety perception: A post‑event poll shows a 42‑point drop in perceived school safety among parents.

Legal framework: ICE Authority in Educational Settings

Federal Statute	Key Provision	Relevance to School Raids
ICE Regulation 8 CFR 287.1	Allows ICE to execute civil arrests on “reasonable suspicion” of immigration violation.	Provides legal basis for agents to detain a minor on campus.
Supreme Court – Plyler v. Doe (1982)	guarantees K‑12 education nonetheless of immigration status.	does not bar enforcement actions; only protects enrollment rights.
Department of Education – Student Safety Guidance (2024)	Requires schools to coordinate with law‑enforcement while safeguarding student privacy.	Highlights the need for advance notification protocols.

Community Response & Advocacy

• Parents United for Safe Schools (PUfSS): Organized a candlelit vigil; filed a Freedom of Facts Act request for the agency’s raid protocol.
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Minnesota: Issued a legal brief demanding a temporary restraining order to halt ICE’s on‑campus operations pending a policy review.
• Local elected officials: City Councilmember Rita Gomez introduced a resolution denouncing “immigration enforcement in schools” and calling for a municipal oversight committee.

Best Practices: School Safety Protocols During Immigration raids

1. Pre‑raid planning:

• Establish a school‑law‑enforcement liaison team (principal, counselor, legal advisor).
• Conduct quarterly drills that differentiate between criminal threats and immigration actions.
• During the incident:
• Activate lockdown only for the immediate area; keep other classrooms operational when safe.
• Use clear, multilingual interaction (text alerts, PA announcements).
• Post‑incident support:
• Deploy trauma‑informed counselors within 24 hours.
• Offer legal aid workshops for affected families.
• Conduct an after‑action review to adjust policies.

Practical Tips for parents & Students

• Know your rights: A minor can request a lawyer and must be read thier Miranda rights if placed under custodial interrogation.
• Document the event: Record dates, officer badge numbers, and any statements made; preserve text alerts and school notices.
• Seek resources:
• Welcoming Center of Minnesota: Free immigration legal counsel.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota: Crisis counseling hotlines.
• Maintain communication: Encourage children to report any unusual law‑enforcement activity on campus promptly.

comparative Case Studies (Real‑World Precedents)

• 2017, Texas – Oak Hill High School: ICE detained two undocumented seniors during a school assembly; resulted in a class‑action lawsuit (settlement $750,000).
• 2020, Arizona – Maricopa County High: A federal immigration raid led to a “no‑detainer” policy adopted by the district, prohibiting ICE from entering school grounds without a warrant.

Policy Implications & Future Outlook

• Federal‑state tension: ongoing debate over the “public charge” rule and its influence on school‑based enforcement.
• Legislative trends: Several states (California, New york) have enacted “sanctuary school” statutes that limit ICE’s access.
• Potential reforms:
• Introduction of a “school‑safe zone” amendment at the congressional level.
• expansion of community‑based legal clinics within high schools to pre‑emptively address immigration concerns.

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All factual statements are based on publicly released police reports, ICE detainer documentation, and reputable news coverage from January 2026.