Recent immigration enforcement activity and related events have created fear and uncertainty for many people across Minnesota, including members of our professional and creative communities. The following publicly available resources are shared to help individuals and organizations navigate next steps with clarity and care.
How to locate someone in ICE custody:
Finding someone who has been detained by ICE or CBP can be difficult. This National Immigration Law Center guide has a variety of options to try: How to Find a Loved One After a U.S. Immigration Arrest – NILC. This will often require persistence over a few days, as detainees may not appear in the ICE detainee locator while they are in transit, and we have seen many people from Minnesota be transferred to Texas in recent days.
Know your rights and know your reality:
Bystander Training: National Immigration Project and National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG) holds both legal and community-based trainings. Additional NIPNLG resources can be found here: National Immigration Project | Lawyers for the Movement.
Know Your Rights: Know Your Rights – The Advocates for Human Rights; Know Your Rights – Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. This page includes links to advice for individuals, including Red Cards and what documents they should carry with them. It also includes links for employers with information regarding what to do if ICE comes to the workplace and tips for documenting raids.
City of Minneapolis Separation Ordinance resources, including downloadable private property posters and FAQs for employers: Updates and resources related to increased federal activity – City of Minneapolis.
If you personally witness ICE activity:
You can report to any of these three rapid response lines:
Immigrant Defense Network: 612-255-3112
Monarca Rapid Response Line: 612-441-2881
Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee: miracmn@gmail.com
When documenting, practice including information using S.A.L.U.T.E.:
S – Size: How many people and/or vehicles are present?
A – Activity: What specifically are they doing?
L – Location: Address, nearby cross streets, or landmarks
U – Uniform: What are they wearing or what identification do they have?
T – Time: Date and time observed
E – Equipment: What weapons or devices are they carrying?
For protest arrestee legal support, contact National Lawyers Guild Minnesota
(612) 444-2654
To report ICE misconduct and constitutional violations, visit ACLU of Minnesota
Request Legal Assistance – ACLU of Minnesota
Immigration legal help resources:
The non-profit immigration legal service providers in the Twin Cities work together as the Immigration Hub, and they have pro se guides and intake screening information for free immigration legal services on LawHelpMN.org here: Minnesota’s Immigration Legal Services Hub Initiative | LawHelp Minnesota. Intake information is shared among the Advocates for Human Rights, Volunteer Lawyers Network, Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, and Mid Minnesota Legal Aid.
Legal screening for detained immigrants:
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM):
The ILCM Detention Line ((651) 641-1011) intake hours are Mondays 2-4pm and Thursday 1-3pm. Special hours are announced on ILCM’s intake hours webpage and on social media. The detention line provides general information about immigration court proceedings, the Minnesota Detention Project and the services it provides.
How families can plan for detention or deportation:
This page from The Hub includes fact sheets for how to prepare Delegations of Parental Authority (DOPA) and plans for assets in emergency situations: Making Sure Your Family is Ready if you Get Deported | LawHelp Minnesota.
How to donate:
Advocates for Human Rights: Give Online – The Advocates for Human Rights
Immigrant Law Center for Minnesota: Donate – Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
Mid Minnesota Legal Aid: Donate – Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
Volunteer Lawyers Network: Volunteer Lawyers Network – Volunteer Lawyers Network End of Year Giving
ACLU Minnesota: Ways to Give – ACLU of Minnesota
Conversations with Friends: Donate – CWF
Conversations with Friends writes letters to immigrant detainees; provides modest commissary deposits; ‘Dignity’ backpacks for those who have been ordered deported; Safe Release services to people who have been released and need assistance reaching their final destination; and they visit people detained by ICE at the Freeborn County Adult Detention Center.