Spanish immersion schools across Minnesota say fear tied to immigration enforcement is taking a toll on their classrooms, forcing some programs to cut hours or temporarily close due to staff shortages.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS spoke with leaders from at least four Spanish immersion schools who said some employees are afraid to come to work, worried they could be detained even when they are in the country legally.
“This is a bond-based business,” said Chathu H., the owner of a Spanish immersion school in the Twin Cities. “It’s like a second mom, a connection and a bond. I think it’s [immigration enforcement] is impacting that.”
She asked that her school not be named, citing concerns about retaliation.
She showed us an empty preschool classroom, a space that would normally be filled with children, but now sits unused because there are not enough staff members to operate it.
She said nearly half of her staff has stopped coming to work in recent weeks.
She describes emotional conversations with employees who are fearful not just for themselves, but for their families.
“I just cried with someone this morning,” she said. “It’s more about the emotions. They’re scared for themselves and for their families. What’s going to happen?”
At another Spanish immersion program in Minnesota, CEO Dawn U. said fear has spread even among workers who have legal status.
“These are staff who are working here legally. They have proper documentation. They’re in process to either continue with green cards or continue to get their citizenship,” Dawn said. “They’re still being taken and detained.”
Dawn said two staff members from her school were detained off school property.
She also asked that the school not be identified, saying leaders are worried about being targeted.
“We have parents who are super concerned about all this,” she said. “Wanting to protect our staff and wanting to protect their kids. We now have parent volunteers staffing our parking lot all day long and staffing the front desk all day long.”
School leaders said community support has been critical during this time.
At both Spanish immersion schools, parents and neighbors are offering rides to and from work, delivering groceries and checking in on teachers who are struggling.
“I feel that around me and I think that’s what keeps me going,” Chathu H. said.
Advocates said the fear of immigration raids goes beyond Spanish immersion schools and reflects a broader challenge across the child care industry, which relies heavily on immigrant workers.
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