By Mike Moen
Minnesota News Connection
Social and economic disruptions are among the impacts reported by Minnesota Latino support organizations as they monitor the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts.
A coordinated response is underway to assist those affected.
Adhering to his campaign pledge, President Donald Trump is putting pressure on federal agencies to scale up deportations of undocumented people.
Analysts say the numbers haven’t moved much, but it’s expected the White House will keep adding resources for enforcement.
Ryan Perez – organizing director with the Minnesota group organization Communities Organizing Latino Power and Action – said with the administration publicizing arrests, there’s an added level of fear.
“We have people that are afraid to go shopping, to go to their cultural markets and grocery stories, because they assume that ICE would target those places,” said Perez. “And some of those impacts are economic, but a lot of those impacts are social, and they’re affecting our social fabric. ”
He said more than 90 organizations across Minnesota are now assisting with things like legal defense when someone is detained, or social aid for families suddenly left without an income.
The coalition also is maintaining a flow of information to community members to know their rights, in hopes people won’t be as afraid to venture out.
Federal agencies involved say they’re following through on a mandate from the American people for increased enforcement.
Perez said COPAL facilitates the Immigrant Defense Network, with teams showing up to enforcement incidents as they happen to ensure federal agents aren’t violating anyone’s rights.
“There are due process rights that people have as citizens of other countries, as community members living here, working here,” said Perez. “And we’re investigating those situations.”
Perez pointed to a recent raid in Rochester where several people were detained, despite their attorneys saying they had no violent criminal records – a key motivation highlighted by the Trump administration in carrying out these efforts.
The individuals were eventually released, but community members noted the enforcement disrupted operations at a local restaurant.
