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Dear Neighbors,

It’s been a violent and volatile start to the year, and with the eyes of the world once again on Minneapolis. On Wednesday, the day after President Trump deployed the largest ICE operation in U.S. history - sending over 2,000 more agents into Minneapolis - a Minnesotan was shot and killed.

Renee Good should still be with us and my heart is broken thinking of her family, friends, and community who is missing her presence. My heart goes out to communities all over the state where ICE has been targeting and terrorizing our fellow Minnesotans.

One of our jobs as public servants is to keep Minnesotans safe from anyone that puts them at risk - and right now, ICE has been proven to be dangerous. My colleagues and I are moving forward, fighting for and demanding accountability and solutions to ensure this never happens again. Our Minnesota Executive branch has said that they are going to seek accountability and justice as well.

None of ‘Operation Metro Surge’ is about public safety - in fact, ICE is destabilizing our communities and making us all less safe. Whether it’s speeding down a one way the wrong way [ [link removed] ], abandoning children [ [link removed] ], kneeling on pregnant women [ [link removed] ], pushing and handcuffing educators and administrators [ [link removed] ], ICE is making everyday living dangerous for all of us. I have had reports coming out of Hopkins and St. Louis Park just today of ICE detaining, and at times threatening, our neighbors who are merely there to be constitutional observers. None of these actions are okay. If you see erratic driving, folks breaking traffic laws, or vehicles without license plates, please call 911.

I would like to share with you the Minneapolis Legislative Delegation statement here on the killing of Renee Good.

Minneapolis Delegation ICE Statement

All of us are just trying to live our lives - and armed, masked individuals are coming in, arresting people without cause, sowing fear, wreaking havoc, and now they’ve killed one of our neighbors. Every law enforcement-involved shooting must have a thorough and integrity-filled investigation. I'm working towards accountability since Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was kicked off the FBI investigation. 

The widely circulated, graphic video of Ms. Good’s death contradicts statements of DHS Secretary Noem. Propaganda and its spread is dangerous, and with an ever-evolving tech society, we all bear a collective responsibility, grounded in our shared humanity and fundamental decency, to stand firmly against it and promote the truth. Words matter. 

Last night, thousands gathered at the site where Renee was killed, and it was indicative of how powerful and comforting standing with community can be. There will be more opportunities to gather, mourn, raise our voices, and peacefully protest - when doing so I encourage you to stay safe and know your rights. Below are resources to familiarize yourself with, as well as connections to community organizations that are providing important rapid response and constitutional observer training opportunities:


* Monarcha - Training [ [link removed] ]
* ACLU - Know Your Rights [ [link removed] ]
* MIRAC MN - Know Your Rights [ [link removed] ]
* Immigrant Defense Network - Resources [ [link removed] ]
* COPAL MN [ [link removed] ]
* UNIDOS [ [link removed] ]
* Immigration Legal Resource Center – Red Cards. Cards you can print to keep so that you know your rights: [link removed]

State officials are here to ensure people have the ability to express their constitutional rights. But I encourage people to do so peacefully. In the words of Governor Walz; They want a show, let’s not give it to them. Please stay safe, do not buy into propaganda from Homeland Security, and to continue to look out for one another.

Many of us have been working with our neighbors to make sure folks are safe as they go to school, work, or just go to the store. We will continue to do that. I have been heartened by watching so many people in Hopkins, Edina, and St. Louis Park stepping up to take care of each other. I am so very proud of our communities!

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Federal Freeze on Childcare Assistance

Today, I was on a call with childcare providers from around the state. They were expressing great concern about the Trump administration freezing over $10 billion in funding that helps low-income families afford childcare, housing, and food. They shared their stories on how this freeze could affect their businesses and the families that they serve. Many of them are small business owners who work with very small margins and a lengthy freeze of funding could cause them to close their doors.

Attorney General Ellison, and four other state attorneys general, are suing the Trump administration for illegally freezing these funds and this sledgehammer approach. This freeze puts vulnerable families at immediate risk by jeopardizing critical anti-poverty programs. I’m glad to see AG Ellison working hard to freeze this unlawful action and stop it from being implemented. 

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Community Conversation Reminder

On January 24, I’m kicking off my first Community Conversation of 2026 at the Hopkins library. This is a space for community to come together, get a brief update from me, share their thoughts, and talk with their neighbors. I will be posting the February and March dates soon. Here are the dates, times, and locations for the January series:


* January 24, Hopkins Library, 11:00 a.m-12:30 p.m 
* January 27, St. Louis Park Library, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
* January 28, Edina Library, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. 
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Keep in Touch

Please continue to contact me anytime at [email protected] or 651-296-9889 with questions or input. Email is the quickest way to get in touch.

Cheryl Youakim Signature

Rep. Cheryl Youakim
46B – Hopkins, Edina, & St. Louis Park








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