Get important updates at the Twin Cities immigration forum
The City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) in partnership with the City of Saint Paul Immigrant and Refugee Program hosts a biweekly immigration forum to offer immigration-related updates to the community.
The topics covered include:
- Federal immigration news and resources.
- Lawsuits and court decisions.
- City, community and advocacy organization updates.
- Other topics important to immigrant, refugee and new American communities.
Find dates on the OIRA events calendar.
Email us to get a link to the meeting series.
Learn more at minneapolismn.gov/oira.
Minneapolis remains a Welcoming City; know your rights
Even with the reported end of Operation Metro Surge, the continued presence of some agents and enforcement actions still impacts our residents. Be prepared and make sure you know your rights.
You can find information from our community partners on the City’s website, including:
- What to know in interactions with ICE (federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement):
- How to prepare:
- Make a plan to prepare your family.
- Carry a “know-your-rights” card.
- Keep your immigration papers on you at all times.
- Meet with a lawyer to learn about your immigration options.
- Learn how to prepare for an immigration encounter. Attend a workshop, information session or community clinic.
- Download the ReadyNow! app and enter your emergency contacts, including your lawyer, case manager, family, childcare, and other critical contact information. If arrest is imminent, you can send multiple messages at the push of a button.
Find details, multilingual information and video presentations on the City’s rights and resources page.
If ICE comes to your home
Before opening your door to ICE, know your rights, as recommended by the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. Remember to assert them calmly and safely.
- 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.
Renters’ rights and evictions
You have rights as a renter if you’re at risk of getting evicted from your home. Property owners cannot immediately evict you for not paying rent. They must give you written notice at least 30 days in advance. The notice must tell you how much you owe and how you can pay it.
People who rent their homes are important members of our community. Renters make up more than half of the population in Minneapolis.
Find more detail on eviction policy on the City website.
Resources
- Legal assistance. Low-income renters in Minneapolis have the right to a lawyer in eviction cases. We have free and low-cost services for renters that include help legal help, advocacy, education and more.
Learn more about legal resources.
Visit our Virtual Resource Center
We created a Virtual Resource Center for community members to find partner resources for food, housing and mental health support.
Visit the Virtual Resource Center to find information including:
- Rent and eviction assistance
- Mental health resources
- Domestic violence resources
Download a resource flyer to post or share with your networks.
Resource highlight: Prescription drugs and delivery
The City has compiled a list of prescription drug resources and delivery options. The information includes lists of:
- Local pharmacy chains that deliver.
- State and local pharmacy assistance programs
- Nonprofit and charitable assistance programs
- National discount programs
- Combination delivery and low-cost options
Find a list of prescription drug resources on the City website.
|
This is a difficult time for everyone in our city. If you're in crisis or know someone who is, the Cope mobile crisis team can help 24/7. Cope responds to anyone in Hennepin County who needs an urgent response — whether one person, families or communities.
Cope has bilingual and bicultural staff available for face-to-face, phone, and video visits. It uses interpreters when needed.
Call 612-596-1223 or visit Hennepin County’s website. If the situation is life-threatening or you need immediate response, call 911.
|
Flexible payment options for City utility bills
Many residents and businesses are experiencing financial hardship during this difficult time. While the City cannot waive unpaid utility bill balances, we have flexible payment plans that may help if you’re having trouble affording your bill for City water, sewer, stormwater and solid waste.
You can call Utility Billing at 612-673-1114 to discuss which option may be best for you. Call center hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Please have your account information ready.
Heating assistance for Minnesotans this winter
The State of Minnesota is urging eligible households to apply now for energy assistance through Minnesota’s federally funded Energy Assistance Program. The State recommends that households take the following steps to protect their heat and electricity from interruption:
-
Apply for the Energy Assistance Program.
- Set up a payment plan with each utility company to get shut-off protection. Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule offers some protection from utility shutoffs but requires households to set up and follow a payment plan. If you have questions, you can visit the Public Utilities Commission website or call 1-800-657-3782.
City shares ideas for neighborly donations in wake of immigration enforcement surge
The wake of Operation Metro Surge continues to put immense strain on so many Minneapolis residents and community members. Community and social service organizations are providing resources and mutual aid to those who need it most. The City’s website holds a list of local foundations and organizations taking monetary donations to support this work, providing food, rental assistance, mutual aid and other resources.
The website’s list includes organizations that offer various kinds of assistance with vetted and trusted donation links.
|
Avoid scams
Often during crises, bad actors exploit people’s generosity to gather personal or financial information. The City has received reports of phishing attempts online and in-person for solicitations for donations using impacts from Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis. The City urges awareness of scams when making any financial contributions or seeking legal advice. Residents and community members should remain vigilant against scams and phishing attempts and ensure donations go to legitimate organizations.
Discrimination protections in Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, you’re protected by law against discrimination based on where you or your family come from – or where someone assumes you come from – including your culture, accent, appearance and language. These protections apply in employment, housing, businesses, City services and more.
This is about discrimination in daily life in Minneapolis – not immigration enforcement. While the City does not have jurisdiction over federal agencies, we do enforce our Civil Rights Ordinance, and discrimination is not allowed here.
Report discrimination by employers, landlords, businesses, City services or others by visiting the City website or by calling 311. You can also contact the department at 612-673-3012 to schedule an intake call.
If a situation involves federal action, there are other places to report concerns:
-
Minnesota Attorney General’s Office: Report impacts of federal actions in Minnesota that may affect civil liberties or state rights.
Find links and more information on the City website.
|
Operation Metro Surge results in $203 million impact on Minneapolis
Even with the imminent end of Operation Metro Surge, City leaders still call for immediate withdrawal of ICE agents and request funds to aid in crisis recovery. City of Minneapolis leaders today released stark numbers that speak to the far-reaching impacts that Operation Metro Surge has caused to residents, communities and City operations. In one month alone – while up to 3,000 federal immigration enforcement agents invaded neighborhoods – the city experienced an impact of at least $203.1 million. That money represents losses to the economy, community livelihoods, residents’ mental health, food and places to live.
The “Preliminary Impact Assessment & Relief Needs Overview” includes impact data and statistics on the most life-saving urgent needs in the city. This preliminary estimate is a snapshot of the severe consequences in everyday life disrupted by Operation Metro Surge. In particular, 76,000 people – mostly immigrants, refugees, Native Americans, and Black people, African Americans and people of color – need urgent relief assistance right now in the city.
Operation Metro Surge is a large-scale, complex situation that involves violence, detentions based on racial profiling and alleged human rights violations, preventing people from having the freedom to access basic life-sustaining services.
The City of Minneapolis did not make any deals or concessions with the federal government or ICE to end Operation Metro Surge. We remain governed by our separation ordinance. The City – including MPD – does not participate in federal civil immigration enforcement or help ICE with civil immigration enforcement investigations.
Read more on the City website.
You can watch the full news conference on YouTube.
Stay up to date on the City’s response to Operation Metro Surge on the City website.
Small business resources
 Economic Response Fund: Grant applications now open
Small businesses may now apply for Economic Response grants through the Minneapolis Foundation.
The Economic Response Fund was designed to help small businesses address needs caused by reduced revenue, workforce challenges, temporary closures, or safety and security concerns.
Small businesses with 40 or fewer employees may be eligible for grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000.
Learn more about the grants and apply
Leer en Español
How to access legal advice
The City of Minneapolis Business Technical Assistance Program (BTAP) refers eligible businesses to free legal advice from attorneys.
Contact the Small Business Team for a referral at smallbusiness@minneapolismn.gov or call 612-673-2499.
ICE or federal action at the workplace
Immigration officials may come to a business with a warrant to locate or detain specific individuals or search a location. The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) offers a helpful guide for steps that employers can take if immigration officials come to your workplace. Find the NILC Guide for Employers.
I-9 inspections
An I-9 inspection, also called an I-9 audit, is an administrative inspection process conducted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). During this process, a DHS agent will request specific business records to confirm that the business's employees have appropriate work authorization. Read more on I-9 Inspections.
Business owner survey
The City of Minneapolis is interested in better understanding the impact of recent ICE actions on small businesses in Minneapolis. The survey below only takes a minute or two. It will provide the City with valuable information to help businesses.
Of the 154 responses received as of Feb. 9:
- On average, businesses reported that sales and customer traffic are down by about half.
- About a third of businesses reported having at least temporary closures.
- Half cut back employee hours or laid of staff.
We are still seeking responses from businesses. The survey will remain open until future notice.
You can take the federal immigration enforcement survey in:
If you are willing to share more detailed information about your experience, please email the Small Business team or call 612-673-2499.
How to recognize City uniforms and vehicles
Check out the City's website for a guide to recognizing multiple City law enforcement and employee uniforms and the vehicles they drive.
No one in a City uniform will ever ask you for your immigration status or participate in any federal immigration enforcement activity.
Minneapolis police officers do not wear masks to hide their identity, nor do they lend any vehicles to federal teams.
How to verify a City vehicle
You can follow these steps to confirm whether a vehicle you see in Minneapolis is a City vehicle.
City vehicles often include
- Uniformed City staff nearby
Temporary and rental vehicles are sometimes used
Not all City vehicles look the same. At times, City departments use short-term rental vehicles due to:
- Seasonal operations (like snow-related response)
- Emergency or specialized work
For your safety:
- Do not stop or confront the driver
- Do not attempt to block or follow the vehicle
Report questions or concerns to 311
Visit the City website to find out how you can contact 311 to ask questions or report concerns.
|
Stay informed about City response to federal actions
You can stay up to date on Minneapolis’ responses to federal actions through many channels:
Emergency alerts
Black History Month events
The City is hosting several events throughout Black History Month this February to honor, celebrate and reflect. The 2026 theme is A Century of Black History Commemorations: Honoring Our History, Uplifting Our Legacy, Continuing the Celebration. All City of Minneapolis residents are welcome.
At the Black History Month breakfast, the Minneapolis Black Employee Network honored Black leaders, was affirmed by a City Council resolution, and addressed rising ICE activity and its impact on our neighbors. Celebration and solidarity go hand in hand. See video highlights from the event.
Upcoming dates
A Touch of Soul
A Touch of Soul is a lively celebration featuring spoken word artists, dancers and an opportunity to support Black-owned businesses through tabling and product sales.
Noon-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24
Public Service Building, Room 100AB
35W Bridge lighting
The 35W Bridge will shine in Black History Month colors Friday, Feb. 27.
|
City seeking proposals for Open Streets
 The City is asking for proposals from community event organizers to coordinate and implement up to two Open Streets events each. Organizers can choose from several event dates and routes around the city.
Open Streets Minneapolis transforms major City streets into car-free places to grow community connections, stir interest in local business and inspire healthy living by encouraging people to move around.
Read more on the City website. Proposals are due by noon Feb. 23.
| 
