Operation Metro Surge, launched by the Donald Trump administration, has caused a significant increase in school absences in Minnesota, where fear of deportations is directly affecting immigrant students and families.

Since last December, Minnesota has become one of the main focuses of President Donald Trump's immigration offensive Through what is known as Operation Metro Surge, a coordinated action between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), whose objective is the detention and deportation of immigrants. The Department of Homeland Security has described this operation as “the largest immigration enforcement action ever undertaken,” but its impact has gone far beyond the streets. In the state's schools, absences have been skyrocketed due to fears that parents or students will be detained during their daily commutes. Fear also enters the classrooms. CNN reported that Operation Metro Surge “is not only robbing students of the opportunity to learn, but also their innocence.” The outlet documented testimonies from families who have chosen to keep their children at home for safety reasons. Elizabeth, a mother from South Minneapolis who asked to remain anonymous, said that it is no longer safe for her son to leave the house. “Our children hear the whistles and car horns and they know that means there's a bad person nearby,” she said, adding that her son hasn't had recess since last December and that federal agents fired tear gas a block and a half from schools during dismissal. “I'm just asking that people from both parties look at these children and understand that something has to change,” she said. Up to 20% fewer students in class. The impact has also been confirmed by teachers. Breonna Robinson, a third-grade teacher, explained to CNN that after the arrest of her student Liam Cornejo Ramos and his father by ICE, Many families decided not to send their children to school. After the December holidays, several students did not return to in-person classes, leading some districts to offer online education. “When I take attendance, about 20% of my class now appears in virtual mode,” Robinson explained. In Rochester, Minnesota's third-largest city, more than 500 school absences were reported in January,a significant increase from the previous month. School superintendent Kent Pekel noted that absenteeism primarily affects Latino students and those who do not speak English as their first language. “The only point of agreement was that we should educate the children, and that they have profoundly fallen apart,” he warned. A campaign promise with consequences. Operation Metro Surge originated as one of Trump's main campaign promises in 2024: to tighten immigration policy and implement mass deportations. After assuming his second term, the president signed multiple executive orders on immigration, leading to ICE raids in various parts of the country. In Minnesota, the consequences are already visible: half-empty classrooms, fearful students, and entire communities living under the shadow of deportation.