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Dear friends and allies-

The past two weeks brought such a mix of emotions for the entire ILCM community: Anger and sadness. Fear and uncertainty. Concern and worry. I am deeply saddened by the senseless killing of George Floyd and also by the destruction that has happened across the Twin Cities. For too long we have lived in a system that perpetuates racism and violence against Black people. We fully reject this racism and violence. We demand and work for justice. Throughout these difficult days of mourning for George Floyd and for our communities, the sure knowledge that our work contributes to the struggle for justice keeps us moving forward.

We recognize and understand that so many members of our community --including many of you and me and my family at times--do not feel safe and have come to believe that they never will. We see you. We are with you. The police killing of George Floyd was a tragic loss for his family and for our entire community, and also reinforced those feelings that we are not safe.

I found myself repeatedly coming back to the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. over the past weeks. As Dr. King stated, America has "failed to hear the plight" of our Black and brown communities. "It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice, equality, and humanity. And so in a real sense our nation's summers of riots are caused by our nation's winters of delay." Dr. King's analysis of riots has become ubiquitous in the last few weeks because it remains so frustratingly and unconscionably true 50 years later.

Lake Street and University Avenue are lifelines for many communities of color, particularly our immigrant and refugee communities. Even as they joined in the protests, many of their businesses were destroyed. Buildings can be replaced. Lives cannot. Our primary focus, and the primary focus of those communities, remains justice for George Floyd and ending racism in our state and in our country.

At the same time, we call on the city and state to come to the assistance of small businesses along those two vital corridors, to help rebuild the years of equity built up by immigrant and BIPOC business owners and families.

The Community Action building at University and Syndicate in St. Paul that houses ILCM's main office was also damaged, though the damage to our own offices was slight. Our virtual doors remain open as they have been for the last few months. We continue in solidarity with the struggle for justice for George Floyd and for BIPOC and immigrant communities who endure the injustices inflicted by racism. We continue to advocate for fair and equitable immigration policies and system, working with partners to ensure that our state and local governments support and protect immigrants and refugees, and working with our clients as they strive to renew DACA and secure lawful permanent residence and citizenship.

All of our liberation is linked together. We act in solidarity with our Black communities in demanding justice. The struggle for justice for George Floyd is the struggle for justice for all of us, because if one of us is oppressed, we all are. I take great solace in being part of a team that is fiercely and unabashedly committed to fighting for justice for all.

In solidarity,
Veena Iyer, Executive Director
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota

Special Session: Governor Tim Walz said he would call a special session of the Minnesota legislature, perhaps as early as Friday, June 12. During that session, we must continue to insist that all Minnesotans, including immigrant communities, be included in COVID-19 relief. See our Action Alert here and call your legislators today! LINK: [link removed]

DACA and the Supreme Court: The Supreme Court decision on DACA is expected soon, probably on one of the remaining three Mondays in June. We will immediately alert the community as soon as that decision is announced--watch for an action alert! We continue to assist DACA recipients renew their DACA. Take a look at our intake information below! LINK: [link removed]

We are open--just not at the office: We are still here to help! Even though our offices are closed, our phone lines remain open, and we continue to provide services remotely. LINK: [link removed]

June is Immigrant Heritage Month and Pride Month. Even in difficult times, we remember and celebrate. We don't know who might need to hear this today but you are loved, you are seen and you deserve to be happy and respected for who you are and the life you live. All of our liberation is linked together and ILCM will not stop fighting for justice.



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