01/14/2026
I’m sharing this because what’s happening right now goes beyond politics — it goes straight to our humanity.
Recently, federal immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota has intensified, with widespread operations and hundreds of agents deployed to the Minneapolis area. This surge has been reported as one of the largest in history, and it has affected people in our communities in ways that feel deeply wrong and frightening.
Videos and reports have shown federal agents detaining people in public places — including at a local Target — where at least two employees, who are U.S. citizens, were held and later released.
Many of the people coming through our doors are part of this community. They study, work, raise families, shop locally, and contribute every day. They are our neighbors, our friends, sometimes our clients who we genuinely care about like family.
Recently, we had a client whose parents were detained and taken to El Paso, Texas. Calls like that — hearing someone’s voice shaking, tears on the other end — it’s not abstract. It’s real pain. And as someone who’s also a minority and a business owner in this community, it hurts to see people live in fear of being stopped, questioned, or assumed “illegal” just because of how they look.
I’ve watched people peer out the windows at a Richfield Target in fear when dark SUVs show up outside. I’ve seen volunteers stand at bus stops so children of color can walk safely. I’ve heard stories of parents being taken away from their kids in broad daylight. People are being grabbed, thrown in trucks, and treated like objects instead of humans with dignity and rights.
This is not about politics anymore.
It’s about people. It’s about families.
It’s about whether our system treats human beings with basic respect and due process.
We have numerous clients who have experienced similar trauma. Not because they did anything wrong, but because fear and assumption are being weaponized. Regardless of immigration status, every human being deserves to be treated fairly, with rights respected, and with compassion.
If you see something that feels wrong, don’t be silent. You don’t have to put yourself in harm’s way, but you can call it out. You can report it. You can shine a light on it. I’ve seen community members peacefully and safely deter agents when actions felt inappropriate. That is solidarity in action.
Do not vandalize our own community — this is our home, not theirs. Protect the peace and protect the people who live here.
We must do better.
We must act with empathy, morals, and love.
When we protect our neighbors and stand up for basic human dignity, that is strength — not division.
Here’s a firsthand post from someone in our community sharing their story:
👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1StGByVT84/
Let’s be better.
Let’s be humane.
Let’s protect each other.
