The last few weeks have been unimaginable. Children torn from their families, warrantless raids and arrests, repeated violations of constitutional rights, and a level of brutality fit for a battlefield rather than an American city. Our beloved neighbors Renee Good and Alex Pretti were shot and killed by federal agents, and federal officials quickly spread lies and moved to prevent any meaningful investigations into their killings. We are carrying a level of trauma and grief that will stay with us for a long, long time. 

Many leaders have emphasized that the right wants us to respond to their violence with more violence: they want an excuse to further militarize cities across the country. We cannot give them what they want. We must continue to show the world what a peaceful, lawful response looks like.

I am doing everything I can to reign in abuses by ICE and Border Patrol, organize my colleagues in Congress, and fight for accountability. Please stay tuned for an update on this work. For now, my team and I wanted to remind you of how you can protect yourself, how you can get the help you need, and how my office can help.

Know and understand your constitutional and legal rights. While it is clear that ICE and Border Patrol are regularly disregarding their own legal obligations, it does not mean that our rights no longer exist. We all have a right under the First Amendment to peacefully assemble and observe ICE actions. Attorney General Keith Ellison has asked Minnesotans to report violations to his office as they fight the Trump administration in court. You can report your experiences here. 

Have a plan in place in the event that you or a loved one is arrested. You may consider having important documents readily available to your family or friends, such as the ICE privacy waiver which authorizes ICE to share information with my office or another Member of Congress, photos of your passport or other documents, delegation of legal authority, and other important items. Take proactive steps to secure an attorney if you are concerned about your immigration status or that you may be arrested while exercising your First Amendment rights.

Find the resources you need. Many non-profit and community organizations have stepped up to help with legal assistance, food, rental assistance, mutual aid, and more. Below are a few places that may help direct you to the help you need:

• City of Minneapolis’s resource portal for immigrants and refugees.
• The State of Minnesota’s portal on legal service providers.
• Hennepin County’s Office of Multicultural Services.

Contact my office for assistance. Our District Office phone line is monitored from 9am to 9pm daily. Call us at 612-333-1272 or email us at [email protected]. Importantly, our office cannot provide legal advice or legal assistance. Congressional casework is unique and narrow, but it can be especially helpful in some ways:

 

It is important for us to have an ICE privacy waiver signed by the individual, authorizing our office to receive information from ICE, though we will still do everything we can to help if a privacy form was not completed before someone’s arrest. We are only able to provide assistance to constituents of the Fifth District.

Despite the sorrow, loss, and hopelessness that many of us feel right now, I also feel so heartened by how Minnesotans have risen to this occasion. My colleagues from around the country have shared their admiration for the love that Minnesotans are showing for their neighbors every single day, and what you are doing is inspiring the country and the world. We don’t know when or how this occupation will end, but we do know that we have each other’s backs. Somehow, some way, we will get through this together.

 

In Solidarity, 

 

 

 

 

 

Ilhan Omar