Legislative Update - ICE in Minnesota
Dear Neighbors,
Believe what you see with your eyes. Never would I have thought I’d start a letter to you with that. The Orwellian nature of the communication coming from our federal government is incredibly harmful. We have video evidence of all the violence and the tragic murders of two Minnesotans, yet we’re told fictional stories by federal leaders that completely contradict what we see. The issue before us isn’t an issue of left vs right. It’s about standing up for our collective constitutional rights that are foundational to our democracy.
From shooting people, taking a child out of a running car to use him as bait to get his dad, refusing to cooperate with state investigators on anything, blatant racial profiling where even non-white law enforcement officers have been stopped, the list goes on. This all under the guise of tackling fraud or getting criminals out of Minnesota. If that were true then none of what they’re doing would achieve that goal.
The impact is being felt across all communities in our state, in the Mankato area, and across the nation. As Minnesotans we know right from wrong and we care for our neighbors, which we have made clear through the peaceful protest and vigils. In Mankato and Southern Minnesota, local leaders in the immigrant advocacy groups have provided regular training to become a constitutional observer, organized protests, and coordinated resources for families most impacted by this occupation.
Families are scared to leave their homes and are being forced to rely on their neighbors for access to food and to get their children to and from school safely. Community members are going to local businesses and making sure workers have “know your rights” cards. I am proud of the countless number of people in the region who are responding to notifications of ICE activity, protecting their neighbors, and documenting the actions taken by federal agents in effort to hold them accountable.
My initial response to all of this was to reach out to local immigrant leaders who I have gotten to know over the past several years. These are the neighbors who I feel should have their voices lifted up in this moment - not necessarily my own. I have attended observer trainings. While I have not hosted a press conference, when asked to attend one I have shown up to speak against the harm happening. I have shown up to protests. I was able to help get some dash cams for observers. Most recently I have been working to help get people who have been impacted access to mental health support.
Since the Minnesota House has an even split down party lines, to deliver meaningful changes in law addressing the actions of federal agents, we need all people to recognize the harm that is happening. Continuing to share first-hand, on the ground accounts that are impossible to ignore is our best hope. Like many who have emailed me, I am also watching what happens with the California mask law that would prevent law enforcement from wearing masks during most situations. If it is upheld in the courts, I am a strong supporter of having a similar law here. I’ve also been in contact with the Department of Public Safety along with the BCA.
We will get through this, but it is imperative on all of us to reduce the amount of harm that happens in the meantime. We are leading the nation as other major cities across the country face these same fears and uncertainties. We stand united, in the cold, with them and as they said in Boston “We are not cold! We are not afraid! MN Taught us to be brave!”
I’ll sign off with some resources you might find helpful as is pertains to knowing your rights, supporting our neighbors, and holding federal agents accountable:
My colleagues in the House DFL have also put together a powerful and practical immigration resource toolkit that I hope you find useful.
In solidarity,
Luke Frederick
State Representative
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