Feb. 26, 2026

JEA and NSPA leadership were joined by Shane Zahn, director of safety initiatives with the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District, for a discussion about convention safety. Here is a recording of that meeting and resources that were discussed. 

• City policy on immigration enforcement
• Getting to downtown from the airport
• Downtown Improvement District safety initiatives

Feb. 18, 2026 

Why are federal immigration agents in Minneapolis right now?
Federal agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have been conducting enforcement actions in the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro area under a Department of Homeland Security operation. Federal officials recently announced a significant reduction of enforcement personnel while a smaller number of agents remain to conclude operations.

Does this affect safety for families and youth at events?
Minneapolis continues to be open and welcoming for visitors, families and youth‐oriented events. Daily life – including concerts, games, museum visits and family festivals – is proceeding normally. Businesses, attractions, restaurants and public venues are open and safe to attend.

There is no indication that ICE or other federal agents are targeting organized youth events.

Will federal agents go into event venues, schools, or youth facilities?
As with federal law generally, federal agents have broad legal authority in public spaces, but there are important protections:

• Convention centers and event venues: ICE and federal agencies should not enter non-public event spaces (like back-of-house areas or private meeting rooms) without a judicial warrant.

The City of Minneapolis does not participate in federal immigration enforcement actions – local police and firefighters do not ask about immigration status or enforce federal immigration laws.

What should families and youth participants know about interacting with law enforcement?

• City policy: The City of Minneapolis does not enforce immigration law and does not ask about immigration status.
• Local police role: Minneapolis Police Department officers focus on public safety – responding to emergencies, crowd safety, and crime prevention – not federal civil immigration enforcement.

Is the Minneapolis Convention Center or other event space safe for our attendees?
Yes. The City is committed to safety at all public venues. While federal agents may operate in parts of the region, there is no indication of targeting youth-focused events. Event spaces like the Minneapolis Convention Center have policies that help protect the privacy and safety of groups using rented spaces.

Jan. 30, 2026

Dear Advisers, Parents and Administrators,

As we prepare to welcome you to Minneapolis this April for the National High School Journalism Convention, we want you to know that your safety and well-being matter deeply to us. The Minneapolis Convention Center, surrounding hotels, restaurants, cultural attractions and transportation infrastructure remain operational, supported by coordinated security, hospitality and public safety resources.

What you haven’t seen in the headlines, includes the “business as normal” events going on at the Minneapolis Convention Center. This past weekend, 800 high school volleyball teams, from across the country, came to Minneapolis for tournament competition and stayed in downtown hotels.

City of Minneapolis
Downtown Minneapolis is supported by a strong public safety and hospitality infrastructure, including:

• The Minneapolis Police Department’s new First Precinct building, which opened approximately four months ago and located adjacent to the convention center and nearby hotels.
• City Ambassadors are stationed throughout the Skyway system to provide directions, assistance and a visible safety presence.
• Downtown hotels with 24/7 on-site security and direct communication with public safety resources.

Convention Center
Besides the national volleyball competition, the Minneapolis Convention Center has successfully hosted several major events in recent weeks, including the Auto Show, Boat Show and the Minnesota School Boards Association conference. Future high school events include, gymnastics (international), cheer (national), DECA (state) and dance (national) competitions. 

Hotels
The hotels are prepared to accommodate you when convention reservations open on Feb. 3, as planned. Our partner hotels have increased security, enhanced monitoring of local activity and ensured controlled access throughout their properties. View a map of the hotels’ proximity to the convention center and the skyway system that connects them. 

Registration and Hotel Information
Rest assured, we will continue to update you on Minneapolis in the following weeks. In the meantime, don’t forget to go to https://spring.journalismconvention.org and click on registration. Once you register and starting Feb. 3, you’ll get links to reserve your hotel room. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

We hope you’ll join us in Minneapolis April 16-18!

Veronica Purvis, JEA Executive Director, veronica@jea.org

Laura Widmer, NSPA Executive Director, laura@jea.org

Kathryn Campbell, Local Committee Chair, kathryn.campbell.cje@gmail.com 

Jan. 15, 2026

Dear Students, Educators and Administrators,

As we prepare to welcome you to the National High School Journalism Convention in Minneapolis April 16-18, we want to address recent events with transparency and care and reassure you about safety and community support.

Earlier this month, an incident occurred in south Minneapolis when a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent engaged with a civilian, resulting in a fatal shooting that has drawn intense public attention and debate. The event has sparked demonstrations locally and nationwide, and authorities at various levels are still reviewing the circumstances.

While emotions are understandably high, it’s important to recognize that Minneapolis remains fundamentally safe, and local authorities are actively managing public safety.  While protests are occurring now, that does not mean it will be the case in a few months during the convention. However, we know you are planning now, and so we want to assure you we have your safety in mind. Here’s what you should know about the city’s environment and our NHSJC planning:

• Minneapolis is a major metropolitan area with professional public safety operations accustomed to large events and public gatherings.
• Law enforcement and city officials are coordinating to ensure safety on all public streets and venues.
• The City of Minneapolis is committed to providing safety and security for all people in Minneapolis and has robust guidelines for interacting with ICE. As a policy, ICE should not access rental or nonpublic spaces without MCC or client consent.
• The local government continues to emphasize peaceful expression and lawful assembly, and Minneapolis is committed to minimizing risk during protests or gatherings. Demonstrations in response to the incident have largely been peaceful, though some tensions continue.

At the convention center itself, security measures and staff are in place to ensure your experience is positive and educational. Our team has been in contact with venue leadership and local officials, and we will:

• Provide updates if situations change significantly.

• Connect with local resources if you have any safety concerns during your visit.

We recognize that this news may be concerning to some families and students. Please rest assured that Minneapolis remains a vibrant, welcoming city with a strong tradition of hosting students and journalists. Conversations and civic engagement are a hallmark of journalism, and this moment underscores the importance of responsible reporting, presence of mind and ethical journalism practices.

Your safety and well-being are our top priorities. While we acknowledge the seriousness of this recent event, we have every confidence that the NHSJC in Minneapolis will be an amazing event. 

If you have questions about safety plans, local logistics or concerns about Minneapolis, please reach out to our team — we’re here to support you.

We look forward to seeing you in April!

Laura Widmer, NSPA Executive Director, laura@studentpress.org

Veronica Purvis, JEA Executive Director, veronica@jea.org

Kathryn Campbell, Local Committee Chair, kathryn.campbell.cje@gmail.com