Minnesota is once again facing a dark moment. Our communities grieve the loss of life of Renee Nicole Good who was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent on January 7 in south Minneapolis. Amidst this tragedy, our state is also undergoing what the federal department of Homeland Security has called the “largest scale immigration operation ever,” an onslaught that is blatantly instigating and escalating harm, is endangering our friends and neighbors, breaking up families, and traumatizing children.
In times of grief and anger, it is important to remember we still have power. Please consider the below resources and actions to support our community.
Ways to support
- Donate to Monarca, a coalition network that provides training and resources to community members who want to understand their rights and support immigrants.
- If you are able, visit immigrant-owned restaurants, which need our support as many have had to limit hours and access due to ICE activity.
- Donate to the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota’s Immigrant Rapid Response Fund, a philanthropic effort that provides “fast, community-informed funding to trusted organizations responding on the ground.”
- Provide food support if you are able. See a list of food drives and opportunities to donate.
- For folks outside of our network and our state wanting to support Minnesota, here is a great curated list of resources, actions, mutual aid, and nonprofits you can forward.
Trusted media
- Sahan Journal, a nonprofit digital newsroom reporting for immigrants and communities of color in Minnesota.
- MPR News, an NPR-affiliate radio station covering statewide news.
- Minnesota Reformer, a nonprofit newsroom, an affiliate of States Newsroom.
- MinnPost, an independent, nonprofit newsroom covering Minnesota news.
- Blck Press, an independent publication with the goal to connect news to Black culture.
Education / Know your rights
- If you’re planning to join protests, vigils, or other events, make sure you can do so safely and effectively. Democracy Security Project gathered their protest safety resources in one place to support you, including Protest Pocket Guide, De-Escalation Pocket Guide, Scripts & Tips, Emergency Preparedness Guidelines, Communication Frameworks, What to Know and Do at Events, and Understanding Law Enforcement.
- Immigrant Law Center is ILP is offering brief services clinic at Cedar Riverside Opportunity Center through March 2026, Friday mornings 10am – 12pm. Remote appointments available; contact the Opportunity Center to sign up for an appointment (remote or in person).
- Legal resources for immigrants (MIRAC).
- Folks can call ILCM’s detention line for brief legal advice and pro se resources.
Intake Hours – Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. - Know Your Rights with ICE: FAQ on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to help Minnesota organizations continue to provide safe and welcoming environments for everyone they serve (Minnesota Attorney General).
- Immigrants & Refugees: Know Your Rights: How to handle encounters with ICE depending on your location, navigating possible detention, and legal assistance resources (Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota).
- Free download: Red Cards: All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. The ILRC’s red cards give examples of how people can exercise these rights, available in multiple languages (Immigrant Legal Resource Center).
- ICE Raid resources for housing providers: Guidance for homeless service providers on what to do before, during, and after a raid by ICE (National Homelessness Law Center).
- The Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Mass Deportation: What’s at Risk in Minnesota: There are far-reaching social and humanitarian implications of this type of enforcement regime. But there is also an economic risk that can be quantified (Minnesota Budget Project).
- Information about creating Designation of Parental Authority documents:
- To find people in ICE custody, people can use the ICE detainee locator: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/
Take action
- Report incidents involving federal agents to the Attorney General, including violations of constitutional rights, business closures, reduced access to healthcare, school, or child care, etc.
- The ACLU-MN is also collecting information on unlawful ICE stops and arrests for their ongoing litigation: Report racial profiling, warrantless stops, detention by federal law enforcement to ACLU-MN.
- Stay connected with MIRAC, an immigrant rights collective that organizes protests, and educates community members on knowing their rights.
- For more information or for folks interested in becoming legal observers, Immigrant Defense Network – Protect the human rights and dignity of every Minnesotan is a great resource.
Nonprofit-specific guidance
- Nonprofits should develop good policies that protect clients: A Guide for Employers: What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace – NILC.
- Webinar recording: What nonprofits should know about immigration site visits (MCN).
- Training slides: Civil Rights Laws and Nonprofit Missions (MCN & MCF Partner event).
- Nonprofit leaders: address the current climate with your staff. It’s important to recognize that your team members are most likely not working at full capacity right now, and that they may be fearing for their safety or the safety of loved ones.
- MCN has resources to navigate uncertainty and focus on key levers of organizational stability: strong internal controls; sustainable revenue mix; strategic HR; ethical leadership.
- Free legal resources for nonprofits through Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and LegalCORPS. Learn more.
- MCN is a member of the National Council of Nonprofits (NCN) who are working on collecting data and testimony, and are leading lawsuits on behalf of nonprofits. Currently, there is ongoing concern that organizations providing on-the-ground support and involved in ICE protests could be labeled as “domestic terrorists.” If you are able:
- Please take this short confidential survey to better equip NCN to protect our sector.
- If you have received any subpoenas or direct communications from federal law enforcement (Homeland Security) or from Congress, please contact NCN’s Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Campaigns Sarah Saadian at [email protected] or 202-834-5178.
- Data security practices to protect your people and data: The safety and privacy of the people the nonprofit serves, and its staff, board, and volunteers must be a priority. Review your data security practices and avoid collecting and storing sensitive information unless necessary (NTEN).
- Legal nonpartisan nonprofit advocacy: 501(c)3 nonprofits are legally allowed to participate in advocacy, but must remain nonpartisan. Legal, nonpartisan activities include issue advocacy, speaking up about the issues central to your mission. Just ensure your messaging is about the issue, not the people running on it. Stay policy-focused, avoid partisan buzzwords, and don’t imply who voters should vote for in an upcoming election. When nonprofit staff are participating in partisan activities, they need to take PTO and should consult with their employee handbook on organizational policies (Alliance for Justice).