01/15/2026
Stay peaceful, prayerful, and prepared – Resources for the Native Community
On January 6th, the federal government launched what they are calling the “largest immigration operation ever.” Over 2,000 additional ICE agents have been deployed to Twin Cities Metro. Since their arrival, they have unleashed a wave of racial profiling and violence that has already cost a life. An ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good in South Minneapolis in broad daylight.
The targeting has moved into our Native spaces with multiple American Indian people, U.S. citizens, already being illegally detained by federal ICE agents. ICE agents have also confronted students and staff at our schools, leading to lockdowns and the total cancellation of classes across the metro. Organizations are being forced to work from home, and programs are shutting down out of an abundance of caution to ensure safety of our staff, children, and elders.
Our community members no longer feel safe in their local travel, but they are also heavily impacting access to critical basic needs and services.
These are the critical days to ensure public safety because as this is written, ICE and DHS agents are moving into our urban Native community in South Minneapolis and detaining our community members as they go about their daily lives. We’ll be sharing more resources and opportunities to come together with our urban Native relatives and other impacted communities. Today, we are elevating the most time-bound and critical messages:
Tips/Resources if you’re detained. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.
• Make sure someone has your location when you leave home, work, and school.
At all times carry:
• Tribal ID or CIB with Tribes Seal
• Real ID – must be advanced ID (regular state ID not sufficient)
• Certified Birth Certificate
• US Passport
Don’t say anything other than you are a legal U.S. citizen and ask for a lawyer (look at MUID website).
• You have the right to ask if you are under arrest or free to leave.
Write key numbers on your arm or have memorized
• 303-447-8760 for legal aid
• Family and emergency contacts
• Tribally enrolled citizens should also write their tribal enrollment #
• Give your legal names and birthdates.
• Don’t sign documents that you’re not able to understand. You don’t have to show documents unless you are issued a judge signed warrant requiring you to do so.
• MUID website (muidmn.org) and Facebook will be a growing repository of resources.
• Remaining peaceful and not escalating action.
• “Not everyone is an ally.” We know that there are federal agents as plants and others with the goal to agitate protestors and community into aggression and violence.
• Immediate resources for those experiencing PTSD triggers or trauma.
• Crisis line for our Native community members – dial 588 and press option #4 for Native counselor.
• Need or immediate and extended community protection. We are supportive of local Native leaders organizing these efforts.
We will continue to share resources & updates.
