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Dear Neighbors, 

Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen hateful rhetoric from the Trump administration turn into an immigration enforcement assault that is targeting both our Somali American and Latino neighbors. These enforcement actions are terrorizing our neighbors and families. I want to provide an update on all we are doing as a community to stand up to this hate and stand with our neighbors.

First, let's be clear – ICE’s actions are intended to cause fear, chaos, and division. It's cruel, it’s not making our community any safer, and it’s happening outside the bounds of the law. ICE has detained community members without warrants, regardless of their immigration status. They have intimidated, harassed, and arrested peaceful protesters. In Richfield, they detained a father while driving, leaving his children behind.

Donald Trump and ICE believe this campaign of fear will break our community, but they will not succeed. In the last two weeks I have never seen a more powerful expression of unity than the countless neighbors in Richfield and South Minneapolis standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their neighbors.

Community members standing guard at schools so that parents and kids feel safe getting off the bus.

Peaceful observers bearing witness and documenting ICE behavior (which has helped organizations like the ACLU bring a lawsuit against ICE).

Neighbors providing financial and legal support to impacted families.

What we are seeing in our community tells me this: Long after ICE has left our communities, we will be standing tall – more organized and connected than ever before, united in our shared vision to make Minnesota the land of the free, where all of us can thrive.

I am joining my House DFL colleagues in spreading this message far and wide in the video below. If you feel so moved, please share with your friends and family as well to show your support for our neighbors.

How else can I help?

As I mentioned, so many community members are finding ways to stand tall for their neighbors. If you are interested in volunteering or lending support of any kind, local leaders have organized a volunteer in-take form where you can learn about ways to plug in. Some of the roles and volunteer opportunities being sought are:

• Fundraising and Mutual Aid: providing material and financial resources to support the urgent needs of families impacted by immigration raids.
• Family Rides & Support: Helping families or students get to and from appointments, running errands, get to school, or providing support during emergencies.
• Site Leadership: Serving as a point of contact for a school, building, or community hub.
• Legal Support: Offering notary, legal, or document assistance.
• Administration and Communications: Meeting support, scheduling, communications, record-keeping, and general organizational help.

If you have any questions about these efforts or how you might want to plug in, you can also e-mail me for more information.

Know Your Rights

With ICE routinely abusing the rights of Minnesotans, it is important to know your rights. Below are resources to familiarize yourself with, as well as connections to community organizations that are providing important training opportunities.

• https://monarcamn.org/training 

• https://www.aclu-mn.org/en/issues/immigrants-rights 

• https://www.miracmn.com/know-your-rights 

• https://immigrantdefensenetwork.org/#resources 

• https://copalmn.org/
• https://unidos-mn.org/
• Immigration Legal Resource Center – Red Cards. Cards you can print to keep so that you know your rights: https://www.ilrc.org/redcards 

Citizens may want to fill out an ICE privacy waiver so that if you are detained, federal representatives can work quickly to secure your release. You can find the form here.

My colleagues in the Senate DFL have put together a powerful and practical immigration resource toolkit, and my colleagues in the House have also compiled immigration resources that are available for our neighbors in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong. 

Please share with loved ones, friends, and those who you think may benefit from the information. The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota is also providing legal support to Minnesotans who are detained by ICE.   

It is not lost on me that this incredibly difficult time comes during the holidays. If you are able, join me in visiting our BIPOC-owned local restaurants and businesses, and find ways to mark the season of giving with support for our neighbors who are in need.

Let’s keep showing up, and showing our love, in all the ways that make Richfield and South Minneapolis such an amazing community.

In partnership, 

Michael Howard