It’s a freezing, windy Thursday afternoon, but dozens of students and Minneapolis residents are nonetheless marching through the University of Minnesota campus, chanting, “Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here,” and, “Chinga la Migra” (that’s “Fuck ICE,” for you gringos). The rally is a response to the university’s recent decision to comply with court-ordered federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement orders.
In Minnesota, there are approximately 95,000 undocumented immigrants, with recent data showing that more than 64,000 U.S. citizens in the state live with at least one family member who is undocumented, and 42% live with at least one U.S. citizen child under 18. In the first two weeks of President Donald Trump’s second term, more than 5,000 undocumented immigrants were deported.
Among his many executive orders in recent weeks, Trump has instructed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to allow ICE to conduct arrests in once-safe spaces such as schools, churches, hospitals, and more. Raids have reportedly already begun in Florida, Chicago, and Minnesota. “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense,” the DHS statement reads.
Many immigrants in Minnesota are rightfully terrified, even as Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other city officials have vowed that their cities won’t be assisting ICE in any state raids. On January 22, Frey released a statement saying that he has “no plans” to assist with these raids, sentiments he doubled down on at a January 28 press conference. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara and the St. Paul Police Department have echoed this sentiment. Given those nearby reassurances, many students were surprised to learn the U of M will comply with federal court orders and subpoenas given by ICE, as the Minnesota Daily reported on January 30…