SF3611

Purpose

• Add a new restriction to limit federal agents' access to school sites in Minnesota. The goal is to require heightened oversight and clear procedures before any entry by certain federal officials, protecting the school environment and students.

Main Provisions

• Adds Subd. 8.L. to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 123B.51.
• Prohibition on entry: School officials and employees of a school district or charter school may not allow a federal agent to enter a school site for any purpose without meeting specific requirements.
• Required steps for entry:
  • Valid identification for the agent
  • A written statement of purpose
  • A valid judicial warrant
  • Approval from the district superintendent or the person with administrative control of the charter school
• Scope of access: If an ICE officer meets the stated requirements, the district must limit access to areas where students are not present.
• Exceptions: The restrictions do not apply if entry is required by state or federal law or as required to administer a state or federally supported educational program.

Scope and Entities Affected

• Applies to federal agents employed directly by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or employed by:
  • United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  • United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
  • United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• Applies to all school districts and charter schools in Minnesota.

What this bill Changes in Law

• Creates a formal process for federal access to K-12 school sites, including identification, purpose, warrants, and superintendent approval.
• Establishes a safety-oriented protocol to limit access to non-student areas when ICE has complied with the requirements.
• Introduces explicit oversight by school leadership for any entry by specified federal agents, adding a layer of local control over federal access to school facilities.

Implementation Notes

• Requires school districts and charter schools to verify credentials, document purpose, and obtain district approval before any entry by targeted federal agents.
• Employers must determine whether entry is permissible under the new conditions or if an exception under state/federal law or program administration applies.

Potential Impacts (Overview)

• Increases local oversight of federal presence on school grounds.
• May reduce unsolicited or unplanned visits by certain federal agents to school sites.
• Could affect collaborations or investigations that involve schools, depending on how the written statement of purpose and warrants are applied.

Relevant Terms - federal agent - United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - valid identification - written statement of purpose - valid judicial warrant - superintendent - district - charter school - school site - areas where students are present - administrative control - state or federal law - administer a state or federally supported educational program