Full Breakdown
Controversy Surrounds Minnesota Middle School's Geography Curriculum on ICE
2/26/2026, 10:20:48 AM
Curriculum Content and Context
A geography lesson at Hermantown Middle School in Minnesota has sparked controversy due to its portrayal of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The lesson included slides that described ICE as having "harassed" migrants and offered extra credit to students who viewed a video titled "ICE and Trump’s $170 billion deportation machine." The curriculum posed questions about President Donald Trump’s efforts to reduce undocumented immigration, which critics argue presents a biased perspective.
The school is part of the Hermantown Community Schools district, which emphasizes a curriculum that is "antiracist" and "culturally sustaining." This approach aims to reflect the diversity of the student population and eliminate racism in educational practices. The district's "Blueprint for Success" outlines these educational goals, which include integrating the culture and language of marginalized communities.
Criticism and Opposition
Nicole Neily, founder and president of the nonprofit Defending Education, criticized the lesson for being ideologically driven and misleading. She stated, "It's bad enough that this biased lesson is replete with falsehoods," arguing that students are being taught what to think rather than how to think. Neily's organization has engaged with the school principal, who defended the lesson's alignment with Minnesota’s educational standards.
Official Statements & Responses
The principal of Hermantown Middle School has not publicly commented beyond affirming that the curriculum meets state standards. The Minnesota school district defines "antiracist" as actively working to identify and eliminate racism, while "culturally sustaining" involves integrating diverse cultural content into the curriculum.
Broader Implications and Student Actions
The controversy surrounding the curriculum comes amid a wave of student activism against ICE across the United States. Recent incidents include school walkouts in various states, where students have protested against immigration enforcement. In Cincinnati, students engaged in disruptive behavior during an anti-ICE demonstration, while in Virginia, over 300 high school students faced suspensions following a similar protest. These actions reflect a growing trend of student engagement in political issues related to immigration.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the Hermantown Middle School curriculum has been defended by school officials, critics argue that it promotes a one-sided narrative about immigration enforcement. There is a lack of comprehensive data on the overall impact of such curricula on student perspectives and community responses.
Verbatim Quotes
- "It's bad enough that this biased lesson is replete with falsehoods, but for the school principal to defend such garbage truly adds insult to injury." — Nicole Neily, Founder and President of Defending Education
- "Students are being force-fed ideological propaganda during finite lesson time." — Nicole Neily, Founder and President of Defending Education
The situation at Hermantown Middle School highlights the ongoing debate over educational content related to immigration and the role of schools in shaping student perspectives on complex social issues.
