Poll: Federal immigration raids disrupted teaching, learning for nearly three-quarters of Minnesota educators
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ST. PAUL, Minnesota. Aug. 10, 2026 — Nearly three of four educators in Education Minnesota said in a new poll that they were directly or indirectly affected by Operation Metro Surge, suggesting a massive disruption in learning for tens of thousands of Minnesota students in the middle of the 2025-26 school year.
The survey conducted by Voss Research and Strategy asked 4,460 Education Minnesota members about their experiences during Operation Metro Surge, the ICE and Border Patrol operation that initially targeted the Twin Cities in December 2025 before expanding statewide in early 2026. The results document an education emergency across the state.
The poll found that 72% of members of the union said they were directly or indirectly impacted by Operation Metro Surge. Among educators in the Twin Cities, that figure reached 93%. The union represents educators in traditional public school districts, along with some charter-school educators, college instructors, retirees and college students studying to be licensed educators.
The survey documents specific disruptions to teaching and learning:
- 68% of members reported students absent from class.
- 67% observed increased fear or anxiety among students.
- 47% said students were noticeably withdrawn.
- 37% said staff members were fearful or unable to come to work.
- 53% reported staff involvement in support efforts, a further burden on educators already at risk of being burned out by their working conditions.
Among English Language Learner teachers, who work most directly with immigrant families, the numbers were even higher. Ninety-six percent reported students absent from class, and 93% reported increased fear or anxiety among their students.
In the Twin Cities, 91% of members reported increased student absenteeism and 89% observed heightened fear or anxiety. Education Minnesota President Monica Byron said those conditions make made teaching and learning extremely difficult, even for students who were not directly affected.
“You cannot teach children who are terrified,” Byron said. “You cannot reach students who are absent. These numbers show the violent federal crackdown on BIPOC communities in Minnesota did tremendous damage to Minnesota students and their schools.”
Byron said it’s too soon to predict the effects of the federal government’s tactics on test scores, but research consistently shows that chronic absenteeism, elevated anxiety and disrupted learning time are strong predictors of lower academic performance.
“The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments were already an optional, no-stakes test for Minnesota students,” she said. “I can’t imagine a scenario in which these disruptions don’t depress test scores this year.”
MCA scores are traditionally released in late August.
Educators responded
The survey also documents the lengths to which educators went to protect and support their students and families in the face of these disruptions. More than a third of members contacted elected officials, coordinated groceries and supplies for families, or attended protests and rallies. More than 40% signed petitions, donated to local organizations, or boycotted businesses in response to the raids.
In the Twin Cities, majorities of Education Minnesota members took many of those actions, almost always in their own time and without compensation. Their actions risked stalking and retaliation by federal agents. Nearly a third of union members who did not take part in community actions cited safety concerns as their reason.
“Our members did not ask for what ICE did to our state. They went to work last year to teach students,” Byron said. “Instead, they spent weeks managing a crisis created by the White House. Our educators helped traumatized children, supported terrified families and did their best to hold their classrooms together. Sadly, many will bring that stress and anxiety into the new year.”
About the survey
The Education Minnesota 2026 Member Survey was conducted by Voss Research and Strategy from April 27 through May 6, 2026. It was conducted online among 4,460 Education Minnesota members. The overall margin of error is plus or minus 1.47 percentage points, but higher for subgroups.
About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.
