Evict ICE, Not Us! and More Updates

January 12th, 2026

Dear Community,

This has been an incredibly traumatic time for our communities, but I see neighbors showing so much resistance, resilience, and love in the face of violent attacks by the federal government. From delivering groceries to distributing whistles to walking kids to schools, your actions are protecting our neighbors and keeping families together every single day. If you are a resident who wants to help support your neighbors against Trump’s attacks, I have included various ways Ward 2 residents have plugged in to support neighbors below.  

In response to needs I’ve heard from residents, I’m taking action with my colleagues to pass an eviction moratorium. 

Evict ICE, Not Us

With federal agents in our streets, workers can’t safely go to work and earn rent. 

We need an eviction moratorium now. Learn more here.

No worker should have to choose between keeping a roof over their head and risking being kidnapped by ICE on the way to work. An eviction moratorium is a renter protection that prohibits the removal of tenants from their homes. Right now, Governor Walz is the only person with the power to pass an eviction moratorium and should do so immediately. Without an eviction moratorium, thousands of vulnerable families are facing eviction as soon as February 1st. People around the country are looking to Minneapolis to see what we will do to support our immigrant neighbors in the face of ICE attacks. Let’s show them how it’s done.  

Here’s what you can do:

• Call and email Governor Walz and urge him to pass an eviction moratorium NOW.
• Organize with your union, neighborhood association, or other local community to publish a statement supporting Evict ICE, Not Us. Send it to Governor Walz.
• Call and email Minneapolis City Council Members and urge them to allow public comment on January 15th and support an eviction moratorium.
• Attend the City Council meeting on January 15th with a sign that says Evict ICE, Not Us.
• Minneapolis City Hall - 350 South 5th Street at 1:30pm
• Submit written testimony here.

You can learn more about Evict ICE, Not Us here. I hope to see you on Thursday. 

Know Your Rights if ICE Comes to Your Home

Everyone has constitutional protections — regardless of immigration status.

Before opening your door to ICE, know your rights, as recommended by the Immigrant Law Center. Remember to assert them calmly and safely. Find more Know Your Rights resources on our website.

• ICE needs a judge-signed warrant with your name and address to enter.
• You can ask them to show you the warrant through the window or under the door.
• If there is no valid warrant, you have the right to keep your door closed.

You can sign up here to get community safety-related information and updates. Information is also available in: Somali (Soomaali), Spanish (Español), Hmong (Hmoob), and Oromo (Afaan Oromoo).

       

Poster with Know Your Rights information.

Donating to Support the Community

Many of our community members are facing extreme financial hardship as ICE terrorizes our communities and makes it impossible for people to safely get to work. If you are looking to donate to families in need, you can contribute to Support South High Families. South High is home to many directly impacted communities. 

Local investigation into the killing of Renee Good - Submit Evidence

The FBI cut the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) off from the investigation into the killing of Renee Good. This decision means that the state agency does not have access to evidence, witnesses or agent testimony. This is very abnormal and raises serious concerns about how the FBI plans to handle the case. 

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty are demanding that the Minnesota BCA have access to evidence. Attorney General Ellison described it as “This is Third Reich stuff… This is an unprecedented attack on American institutions.”

Hennepin County reported that they received hundreds of calls from residents asking that they open an independent investigation into the shooting. In response to public pressure, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office and Minnesota Attorney General's Office opened an online portal and requested that Minnesotans submit evidence for their offices to pursue an independent investigation with the BCA. I applaud this leadership by AG Ellison and County Attorney Moriarty, as well as the residents who organized to push for an independent investigation.

You can submit potential evidence related to the killing of Renee Good. 

Updates from Representative Omar’s District Office

Representative Omar sent out an update about what we know of the current state of immigration enforcement in Minnesota, how people can help their loved ones, and how their office can contribute.

For Immigrants

• County jails in MN that house people arrested by ICE are currently at capacity. After an arrest, most people are being held at Whipple temporarily until they are transferred to larger facilities out of state.
• ICE generally has 48 hours to update someone’s whereabouts in the detainee locator system. Family can find this through Google, and the link is https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search
• That means 48 hours after an arrest OR 48 hours after a transfer. It appears ICE is often holding people at Whipple for 12-24 hours, then transferring someone elsewhere, meaning it may be 36 or more hours before their location is updated. There also appears to be a delay due to the volume of arrests ICE is making.
• ICE has told us that families and attorneys can email the St. Paul ICE inbox, which is the best way to try to get info on someone's location. BUT family members will need an ICE authorization form, and attorneys would need a G-28 in order for ICE to provide any details. The email is stpaul.outreach@ice.dhs.gov.
• The most important thing for family members to do immediately after an arrest is to try to retain an immigration attorney. That's going to be the most impactful way to help their loved one.
• If the person has an urgent medical issue or is a minor, our office can engage ICE immediately to ensure they get adequate medical care or can be in communication with their family. ICE generally requires we have a privacy release form completed by the individual we are contacting them about, but we have seen some flexibility when it comes to urgent medical issues. (And a parent/guardian can fill out the form on behalf of a minor.) We will need next-of-kin to complete a privacy release form and provide relevant documents. Constituents can call our office at 612-333-1272 for assistance. Our office is monitoring calls from 9am to 9pm every day, including weekends. It is best for constituents to contact us through our office line so that all members of our team have access to any requests.
• People living outside of the Fifth District can contact their own Representative or either Senate office for assistance.
• Unfortunately, for other situations, we do not have a good way to help. That said, if someone does have a completed ICE waiver, we can inquire with ICE at any point. But without an ICE waiver, ICE will generally not share information with our office unless it is an emergency.
• If someone has an upcoming immigration court hearing, ICE check-in, are subject to a final removal order, or are concerned about being arrested, they may consider saving a signed copy of ICE’s privacy waiver in a password-protected google drive that is accessible to a trusted friend or family member who can contact our office in case of emergency. Please note that ICE waiver is valid for 90 days from the date it is signed. If there is an immigration attorney, they may consider keeping a copy of their G-28 in the same place.
• Know Your Rights information is available on our website. Individuals can also find Know Your Rights guides for specific situations from many trusted non-profit legal organizations.

For U.S. Citizens

• We are aware of at least four U.S. citizens from the Fifth District that were detained yesterday alone. The number is likely higher.
• For the cases we’ve inquired on or tracked, ICE has released citizens within a few hours of their arrest without charges. We do think it is important for folks to understand that although we believe these arrests are unlawful and intended to terrorize our communities, we have not seen long-term detentions or criminal charges resulting from these arrests. Of course, that may change as the surge progresses.
• Our office can inquire with ICE immediately if a U.S. citizen from the district has been arrested.
• People living outside of the Fifth District can contact their own Representative or either Senate office for assistance.
• An ICE privacy waiver is preferable, if someone’s loved one has a completed copy on-hand. If they do not have that, we have been submitting inquiries with a privacy form from next-of-kin.
• We also need a copy of the person’s proof of citizenship, e.g. a photo of their passport or birth certificate.
• Family members may also want to contact a civil liberties or legal advocacy group to report the arrest and request legal assistance. In the cases we’ve tracked, it does seem to help when a lawyer is also engaging ICE about the detention of a citizen.