Neighbors Band Together to Support Each Other Amid ICE Crackdowns

From Minneapolis to Florida, communities are finding ways to look out for one another as the threat of deportation looms.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 5:54am

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As the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration intensified, communities across the country have come together to support one another. In Minneapolis, neighbors organized a rideshare system to help immigrant families get to work and school safely. In Florida, high school students staged repeated walkouts to protest ICE actions and stand up for their classmates. And in Chicago, homeschooled brothers volunteered as community patrollers to monitor ICE activity. These grassroots efforts have not only provided practical assistance but also helped rebuild a sense of community and interconnectedness that counters the isolation and powerlessness many feel in the face of authoritarian policies.

Why it matters

The rise of American fascism and aggressive immigration enforcement has left many communities feeling isolated and powerless. However, these stories show how people are finding ways to pierce that isolation, support one another, and actively shape their neighborhoods and communities in the face of repressive policies. This reflects a broader trend of people, especially young people, rejecting the view of the world as a pre-packaged 'news' phenomenon and instead seeing it as a collection of movable atoms that they can influence through collective action.

The details

In Minneapolis, neighbors organized a rideshare system after learning that many immigrant families were afraid to go to work due to the presence of ICE agents in the area. The system now provides 20-30 rides per day, allowing adults to get to their jobs and kids to get to school safely. This has had the unexpected effect of bringing neighbors who previously didn't know each other well into closer community. Meanwhile, high school students in Florida have staged repeated walkouts to protest ICE actions and support their immigrant classmates, despite threats of suspension or expulsion. And in Chicago, homeschooled brothers have volunteered as community patrollers to monitor ICE activity, using their 'privilege' to look out for their neighbors.

  • In December, thousands of ICE agents descended on Minneapolis.
  • In early February, high school students in Florida began walking out of class in protest.
  • This past December, Zoe Weissman, a Parkland shooting survivor, lived through a second shooting at Brown University.

The players

M

A woman in South Minneapolis who helped organize a neighborhood rideshare system to assist immigrant families.

Zoe Weissman

A 12-year-old Parkland shooting survivor who is now a sophomore at Brown University and has been involved in anti-ICE protests.

Ben Luhmann

A 17-year-old homeschooled Chicago-area resident who has volunteered as a community patroller during ICE raids.

Sam Luhmann

A 16-year-old homeschooled Chicago-area resident who has volunteered as a community patroller during ICE raids.

Audrey Luhmann

The mother of Ben and Sam Luhmann, who has supported her sons' community patrol efforts despite concerns for their safety.

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What they’re saying

“We have immigrants at this school, we have people who are afraid at this school.”

— A senior at Viera High School in Viera West, Florida (Local news station)

“I've been really happy about how many different types of people and age groups I've seen protesting.”

— Zoe Weissman, Sophomore at Brown University (Author interview)

“We're two white minors who have always had the privilege to live in America unbothered. I'm going to use that privilege that shouldn't be here, and do the right thing.”

— Ben Luhmann, 17-year-old homeschooled community patroller (TikTok video)

“Why should my life be normal? Why should my family get to be safe and comfortable and go on about our days and just ignore what's happening?”

— Audrey Luhmann, Mother of community patrollers (Author interview)

“We just need numbers of people out there keeping an eye on our neighbors.”

— Sam Luhmann, 16-year-old homeschooled community patroller (TikTok video)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

These grassroots efforts to support one another and actively shape their communities in the face of authoritarian policies show how people, especially young people, are rejecting the view of the world as a pre-packaged 'news' phenomenon and instead seeing it as something they can influence through collective action. This community-based resistance is a powerful antidote to the isolation and powerlessness that can arise under repressive regimes.