How to Support the Community in Minneapolis
Whether you’re on the ground or watching the situation unfold from afar, here's how to get involved.
On Saturday, Jan. 24, an ICE agent fatally shot Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse. This came a mere 17 days after an ICE agent killed Renee Good, a poet and mother of three.
It’s two terrible fatalities in a string of upsetting events that have unfolded since ICE agents poured into Minneapolis late last year. The result: fear, sadness, protests, anger.
Whether you’re on the ground or watching the situation unfold from afar, we’ve rounded up a few ways to support the community in Minneapolis.
Support local mutual aid groups.
The Immigrant Defense Network provides emergency support to families directly affected by ICE raids in Minnesota. The Immigrant Law Center of MN provides legal services to low-income immigrants and refugees in the state. Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) offers essential resources and education on immigration. You can look up legal services specific to your area via the Immigration Advocates Network.
Volunteer with on-the-ground organizations.
If you have time and energy to give, working with hyper-local groups can have a significant impact. Meals on Wheels in Minnesota delivers food to those with food insecurity in various areas some of which are heavily impacted by ICE presence. COPAL, an organization well-known for its ICE hotline, takes volunteers from across the nation.
Know what to do.
No matter your immigration status, you need to know what to say if you encounter an ICE officer. The Immigrant Law Center of MN offers a resource hub with a fact sheet that advises individuals to remain calm and stay within their rights.
