The following article was published in the Febrary 2026 edition of dcDIGEST:
All eyes are on Minneapolis as thousands persevere in subzero weather to prevent more deportations and demand the withdrawal of ICE. We are all horrified by the brazen, paramilitary-style assault on Black and brown immigrants and citizens. And now, with the cold-blooded murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Minnesota is not only the epicenter of anti-immigrant violence; it is also the frontline of state terror against anyone who dares to protest—terror that ripples out to every corner of the US. We can all imagine being next.
We can’t be disabled by shock and fear. There are heartening cracks in the MAGA edifice. Trump has recalled Greg Bovino from his post; some top Republicans are distancing themselves; officials who recently voted to fund ICE are recanting. This is the result of public outcry. There are many miles ahead, but activism works.
How can we support Minnesota? Donations and other aid can be channeled through StandWithMinnesota. We can circulate the national petition by MoveOn demanding an end to the military occupation. Continue calling on Josh Riley, Chuck Schumer, and Kirsten Gillibrand to stand firm in Washington (the 5 Calls app makes it easy!). Rally together, hold signs, and send visual signals out via social media.
Let’s also lift our eyes to the broader fight. ICE activity continues across U.S. border states and “blue” cities, especially ones like Portland, Maine, with large numbers of African and other non-white immigrants. Although broad sweeps are less likely in rural areas like ours, any suspected or known ICE activity can be reported at this tracker. According to Spectrum News 1, ICE and Border Patrol arrests have increased dramatically across upstate NY, including Delaware County, which saw 7 arrests in 2025, compared to 2 in 2024. Locally, Open Catskills collects donations for legal expenses and provides other support for local immigrants.
Though not a major target for raids, rural NY plays a significant role by housing ICE detainees. NY Focus reports that as of September 2025, NY county jails “held six times more people for federal immigration authorities than they did in all of 2024,” over half of whom had no criminal records. Montgomery, Orange, and Broome are some of the counties that earn revenue by jailing ICE detainees through an arrangement with the federal government.
Part of Delaware County lies in State Assembly District 101 where ICE is threatening to open a detention facility in a vacant industrial building. This is just one step in a nationwide Department of Homeland Security plan to warehouse 80,000 people in what Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons says is an effort to run the deportation system “like a business…like (Amazon) Prime, but with human beings.” We can help stop it by signing a petition by Congressman Pat Ryan (NY-18), and by calling on Assemblyman Brian Maher (R) to oppose it.
Yes, the murders in Minneapolis are frightening, but let’s not avert our eyes. One step at a time, we turn pain and horror into action—together.
A LETTER FROM MINNEAPOLIS
For many years before they moved to Delhi, Jim and Cindie Smart called Minneapolis home. For a firsthand account of events there, they reached out to RT Rybak, former mayor of Minneapolis, former vice chair of the DNC, and current president of the Minneapolis Foundation. Read his letter here.
Congressman Josh Riley demands an independent investigation into Minnesota killings and backs the No Secret Police Act. Read his letter here.