Sejong Academy moves to online learning amid reports of ICE activity; community group urges noncitizens to stay home
Sejong Academy, a taxpayer-funded Korean immersion charter in St. Paul, moved to online learning Jan. 14–15, 2026, citing community safety concerns amid reports of local ICE activity and community alerts urging noncitizens to stay home.
- Sejong Academy shifted to remote instruction for Jan. 14–15, 2026, citing the safety and well-being of its school community.
- Community organization Urban Village advised noncitizens—particularly in the Myanmar community—to limit travel, prompting absences and disruptions.
- No public confirmation from ICE ties enforcement actions specifically to the school campus; reporting relies on community alerts and social posts.
- Local impacts extend beyond St. Paul: similar alerts can disrupt attendance, services and local economies elsewhere, including San Luis Obispo.
Sejong Academy announcement and timing
On Jan. 14, Sejong Academy posted a brief notice stating: Sejong Academy will proceed with online learning for the remainder of this week (January 14 and 15). Thank you for your continued support and cooperation as we prioritize the safety and well-being of our school community.
Remote classes were held Wednesday and Thursday; a pre-planned staff development day kept students home on Friday.
The school’s message provided no details about a specific incident and did not name ICE nor reference coordination with community groups. The school notice is posted on the Sejong Academy notice.
Community organization response: Urban Village guidance
Urban Village, a Minnesota-based organization working with immigrant communities, released video and social posts warning of heightened immigration enforcement activity and advised people without legal status to stay home, avoid driving and limit contact. Reporting noted the organization specifically addressed the local Myanmar community; those warnings were widely shared and reportedly prompted many people to miss work, medical appointments and school.
Contemporaneous coverage summarized the group’s guidance and its effects in the neighborhood; outlets sought comment from Urban Village and the school but documentation of public responses was not in the initial reporting. See related coverage from Fox News Digital and WCCS Radio.
What is confirmed, and what remains unclear
Confirmed: the school moved to online learning Jan. 14–15, 2026 and community alerts warning of immigration enforcement circulated at the same time. Unclear: there is no public, official confirmation that ICE conducted raids at or adjacent to Sejong Academy; available reporting relies on community alerts, social posts and local reporting.
Multiple outlets noted absences and community actions described as protests; however, reporting did not produce an ICE statement tying enforcement actions to the school campus. Coverage that examined timing and context includes local reporting summarized by AOL as well as the aforementioned Fox News Digital and WCCS Radio.
Community impact and accounts of disruption
Reporting indicates that guidance from Urban Village and similar alerts had tangible effects: fear, canceled plans, missed appointments, reduced mobility and students marked absent. For many families this meant missed school, unpaid leave or postponed medical care—disruptions that can carry longer-term consequences for learning and household income.
Community reactions highlight the role of trust and communication between schools, local authorities and community organizations during perceived enforcement events.
Reporting and verification efforts
Newsrooms covering the events attempted to contact Sejong Academy and Urban Village; initial published stories recorded no immediate public comment from those organizations. There also was no public ICE statement confirming operations tied to the school. The reporting base for the timeline draws on school communications, community posts and local media inquiries.
Background on Sejong Academy
Sejong Academy is a tuition-free public charter at 2410 Stillwater Rd E, St. Paul, offering Korean-immersion programming across age groups. Program details and offerings—Pre-K through upper grades with varying immersion levels, free meals and cultural activities—are available on the school’s program page: Sejong Academy Korean Immersion program.
Public records and reporting indicate the school received government funding; regional reporting cited IRS filings showing more than $7 million in government grants. Enrollment and governance details, including the enrollment window and public board meetings, are posted on the school’s site: Sejong Academy enrollment information and Sejong Academy governance and board meetings.
Implications for San Luis Obispo, California
Although events occurred in St. Paul, similar community alerts in San Luis Obispo County could affect local economies and services. Potential consequences include reduced worker attendance in key sectors, pressure on elected leaders and school boards to clarify policies, and social impacts on immigrant families’ use of services.
Local organizations can prepare by reviewing remote-learning contingencies, translating emergency notices, clarifying law enforcement–school protocols, and sharing information on legal resources and support services.
Practical applications and recommendations
- Schools: review remote-learning continuity plans and attendance policy flexibility; ensure multilingual outreach.
- Health clinics and employers: prepare communications in relevant languages and partner with trusted community groups to share verified information.
- Local government: clarify law enforcement protocols around schools and publish clear guidance to reduce speculation.
Sources
Primary documents and reporting examined for this article:
- Sejong Academy official website
- Sejong Academy Korean Immersion program
- Sejong Academy enrollment form and information
- Sejong Academy governance and board meetings
- Fox News Digital reporting on Sejong Academy and community response
- WCCS Radio reporting summarizing school move and community alerts
- AOL reporting on student absences and related events
If you are a local reader concerned about enforcement activity, seek verified statements from schools, law enforcement and community organizations before acting; schools and community groups can reduce disruption by publishing clear, multilingual guidance and legal-resource information.
