Pelican school district outlines protection plan as ICE enforcement surges

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Over the weekend of January 10-11, rumors began that ICE agents were observed in Pelican Rapids, and recent events in the Minneapolis school district and the Trump administration’s commitment to surge ICE enforcement to Minnesota have created a lot of unease in the community. 

Just under a year ago, The Press reported on changes the Trump Administration made to laws regarding ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). 

After being named acting DHS Director, Benjamin Huffman acted quickly to rescind a 2011 ICE Policy regarding immigration enforcement in “sensitive areas,” including public schools. The thirteen-year-old policy stated that immigration enforcement should not occur at or near “sensitive locations” such as schools and churches. 

Under the new administration, these protections no longer exist. 

At the time, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement: “This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens — including murderers and rapists — who have illegally come into our country. Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”

The Press reached out to Superintendent Korf regarding Pelican Rapids’ school policy on immigration enforcement. Korf’s 2025 response is reprinted here: 

“We have a commitment to providing all children with a free public education, protecting student privacy, and maintaining a school environment conducive to learning.”

Pelican Rapids Public Schools have been instructed to follow the following protocol if an ICE agent or agents arrive at school:

• Direct the ICE agent(s) to the building office or district office and ask them to wait.

• Notify the superintendent immediately, even if the superintendent is outside of the building.

• If the superintendent is not immediately available, contact the building principal.

• Admin will require official identification from the agent(s).

• Admin will require a warrant or subpoena (written legal authorization).

• Admin will contact local law enforcement to assist with identification if needed.

• Do not allow the agent(s) to see a student or provide any student information without authorization from the superintendent.

• Admin will contact the parent/guardian of the student immediately, if applicable.