Media contact: Samantha Hart, 540-470-0480, media@communitychange.org
Dozens of Minnesota Parents, Teachers, Childcare Providers, Faith Leaders, and Community Members Take to Congress to Demand No More Funding for ICE, ICE Out of Our Communities
Watch recording of press conference here
Washington, DC — On February 12, 2026, more than 60 Minnesotans took to Capitol Hill to demand that lawmakers take action to get ICE out of Minnesota, vote no on any additional funding for ICE or CBP, and pursue real accountability for the terror that ICE has inflicted on Minnesotans over the past few weeks.
DHS today announced that ICE was leaving Minnesota, but this delegation wants them to remember that what happened to their community is an example of what this agency is capable of. ICE’s cruelty and chaos will spread to other states if funded, and lawmakers cannot give any more money or authority to this lawless organization.
“Many families are afraid to send their children to school. One day last month, 200 of our 570 students were absent from our school. On average, we have 130 students absent each day because they are afraid to come to school,” said Peg Nelson, a teacher from the Columbia Heights School District. “Our school population is 66% Hispanic; they are being disproportionately impacted. Our district recently began offering an online option for students who do not feel safe coming to school in person, but as COVID showed us, virtual learning is not the same as being in class. Students are falling behind because they are unable to attend class safely.
The press conference and rally were attended by more than 100 people, all showing support for the Minnesotans who made the long journey to make their voices heard. Thirteen people spoke before the Minnesota delegation conducted nearly 50 advocacy visits with legislators.
“Communities have bravely confronted these violent attacks by ICE. They’ve shared groceries and medicine, put their bodies on the line, they’ve closed their wallets to the businesses of ICE,” said Desmond Serette, Interim Chief of Programs at Community Change Action. “The least our representatives could do is confront this administration, use their power of the purse, and cut off the flow of funds to ICE and CBP.”
“What is happening is not new for Indigenous or native people. The criminalization, surveillance, and detention have been going on since the beginning of colonization over 530 years ago. Even today, native and tribal citizens are actively being detained by ICE,” said Rachel Thunder, Vice President of Indigenous Protector Network. ‘Migration is our right. Indigenous people move freely. Long before these borders were enforced, they were imposed on us. These borders crossed us. We did not cross these borders. And no federal agency gets to decide the sovereignty of who belongs on indigenous lands.”
“History always asks one question: when people were afraid, when dignity was on the line, where were you? And we should be able to answer that one day,” said Imam Saleh Mohamed, member of ISAIAH and community faith leader. “Our children will ask what we did when fear knocked on our neighbor’s door; let us be able to answer and say, ‘We did not stay silent.’ We stood up. We spoke, and we chose dignity over fear.
“Having increased ICE activity has created widespread fear, anxiety and a public health crisis,” said Hamse Hussien, a rideshare driver and member of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). “Many residents avoid daily activities like working, schooling and seeking healthcare because they are scared. No one should have to prove their citizenship just to earn a living, go to the doctor or walk the streets. That is not what this country stands for. This is intimidation and profiling, not safety.”
Their demand is clear: No more money for ICE and ICE out of Minnesota — and everywhere — for good.
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