The activist wing of the nation’s largest teachers union is under fire after sending a message to supporters that accused the Trump administration and immigration officers of murder following a deadly incident in Minneapolis.
The email, sent on January 10 by the National Education Association’s EdJustice project, used charged language to condemn ICE enforcement and promote nationwide protests. The NEA represents more than three million members across the United States.
Union Email Uses Harsh Language
The message told supporters that educators, families, and students are pushing back against what it called an assault on local communities. It described the Trump administration as a regime and demanded that ICE leave schools and neighborhoods.
The subject line read, “ICE Out of Our Schools and Communities Now.”
Union leaders framed recent ICE activity in several cities as part of a broader campaign of intimidation by federal authorities.
What Happened in Minneapolis
The email followed the death of Renee Nicole Good, a thirty seven year old activist who was shot by an ICE agent during an enforcement operation last week.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Good followed ICE agents throughout the day and later blocked their vehicles with her SUV. When officers ordered her to move, she refused. As one agent approached her vehicle, DHS says she accelerated toward another officer, who then fired his weapon.
No criminal charges have been filed in the case.
Good belonged to an activist group called ICE Watch and initially described herself as a legal observer during the operation.
Conflicting Claims About the Shooting
The NEA email described the incident very differently. It claimed that ICE murdered Good while she stood up for immigrant neighbors and accused federal agents of months of harassment and racial profiling.
Video footage of the incident exists, but investigators have not concluded that a crime occurred.
Second ICE Incident Near a School
Later that same day, a separate ICE vehicle chase ended near Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis. DHS said a US citizen rammed an ICE vehicle during another enforcement action and fled before stopping on school property.
The teachers union claimed ICE used tear gas and detained school staff members. DHS denied that account, saying officers never targeted students or staff and did not deploy tear gas.
DHS also said a hostile crowd threw objects and paint at officers, forcing them to use limited crowd control to protect public safety.
Union Pushes Protests, Draws Criticism
The NEA email went further, accusing what it called the MAGA regime of abducting people and killing neighbors to gain power. It also encouraged supporters to join upcoming anti ICE protests across the country.
At the same time, critics pointed out that the union has remained silent on violent crackdowns against protesters in Iran, where thousands have reportedly died during unrest tied to economic collapse and political repression.
NEA Responds to Backlash
The teachers union did not directly address questions about its language. Instead, it repeated its demand for ICE to leave communities and schools.
The group said ICE presence puts students, parents, and educators at risk and undermines public safety.
