Minnesota Activists and Rep. Ilhan Omar Share Tips to Resist ICE, Support Communities

Local organizers and the congresswoman offer lessons on protecting communities from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a federal crackdown in the state.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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In the aftermath of a federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota that resulted in thousands of arrests and several deaths, local activists and Rep. Ilhan Omar shared strategies for resisting ICE and supporting affected communities. The key, they said, is getting to know your neighbors and building strong community networks to monitor federal agents and provide aid to those targeted.

Why it matters

The lessons from Minnesota offer a playbook for other communities bracing for increased federal immigration enforcement, as the Trump administration has vowed to ramp up deportations nationwide. The activists' tactics highlight the power of grassroots organizing and the importance of elected officials working closely with local groups to protect vulnerable residents.

The details

During the national webinar, Omar offered specific advice to elected leaders, including holding 'Know Your Rights' training sessions, connecting with immigrant rights groups and immigration lawyers, familiarizing themselves with ICE facilities, and preparing ICE release forms for staff at risk of detention. The activists also discussed the need for widespread community buy-in and planning for effective general strikes and economic shutdowns to protest federal overreach.

  • On Feb. 12, Trump administration border czar Tom Homan announced the suspension of the Minnesota immigration crackdown.
  • During 'Operation Metro Surge,' federal agents arrested 3,000 people in Minnesota and killed two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and a Nicaraguan man, Victor Manuel Diaz, died in ICE custody.
  • On Jan. 23, hundreds of Twin Cities businesses and cultural institutions closed their doors, and about 75,000 people flooded the streets to demand that ICE leave Minnesota.

The players

Ilhan Omar

A Democratic U.S. Representative from Minnesota who shared practical advice for elected officials on how to support communities targeted by increased federal immigration enforcement.

Jennifer Arnold

An organizer with Inquilinxs Unidxs por Justicia who said the key to successful community resistance against ICE is simply getting to know your neighbors.

Bernie Burnham

The president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO who addressed the growing call in activist circles for general strikes to protest the ICE crackdown and federal overreach.

Janaé Imari Bates

A reverend from ISAIAH, a multi-racial coalition of faith groups, who participated in the webinar on lessons from Minnesota on fighting authoritarianism.

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What they’re saying

“This is done in a block by block way. It's way easier to get to know your neighbors when folks are still able to leave their homes. So get to know your neighbors. That is the building block of this kind of resistance.”

— Jennifer Arnold, Organizer, Inquilinxs Unidxs por Justicia (atlantaciviccircle.org)

“Collective action doesn't happen overnight. It takes months of organizing and lots of planning. If we don't have enough people there, the strike isn't going to be effective.”

— Bernie Burnham, President, Minnesota AFL-CIO (atlantaciviccircle.org)

“Be part of the community and be part of that response. That means officials and their staff should attend organizing efforts and protests to bear witness to community actions.”

— Ilhan Omar, U.S. Representative, Minnesota (atlantaciviccircle.org)

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

The lessons from Minnesota highlight the power of grassroots organizing and the importance of elected officials working closely with local groups to protect vulnerable residents from increased federal immigration enforcement. By building strong community networks and getting to know their neighbors, activists were able to successfully resist the ICE crackdown and provide critical aid to those targeted.