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This issue of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Bulletin is dedicated to actions and events impacting immigrant and refugee communities in the City of Minneapolis and beyond.
From threats of ramped up immigration enforcement to inhumane detention conditions for child migrants at the United States southern border, the actions of our government demand our attention and our response.
The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) is a resource to community in these challenging times. OIRA informs community about immigration related events, connects Minneapolis residents to legal service providers and holds forums on immigration law and policy. If you have an immigration related concern, please contact OIRA by visiting our webpage at http://www.minneapolismn.gov/ncr/oira/index.htm.
Mayor Jacob Frey, City Council President Lisa Bender and Minneapolis Police Chief Medeira Arradondo recently issued a joint statement reaffirming Minneapolis as a Welcoming City, confirming that Minneapolis Police does not cooperate with or participate in ICE enforcement activity, and and condemning actions that put residents in fear or at risk. This joint statement was issued in the wake of reports in late June (renewed this week) that ICE would be targeting 10 US cities (not including Minneapolis) for ramped up enforcement activities.
The Minnesota State Legislature People of Color Indigenous Caucus hosted an important public meeting on Friday June 28 featuring immigration attorneys with experience on the ground at our Southern border. Attorneys Kara Lynum, Ana Pottratz Acosta and Robyn Meyer Thompson also shared information about US asylum laws and procedures, local immigration court practices and resources, and what we all need to know about our government's actions and actions all Minnesotans can take.
The audio of this meeting:
https://m.soundcloud.com/mnhousedfl/informational-meeting-on-abuse-neglect-of-children-at-southern-border
The video of this meeting:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=x7b7eMOGqWk
July 12: (TONIGHT!) Lights for Liberty
July 14: Twin Cities World Refugee Day
July 15: Hands off Honduras with Karen Spring
July 20: Colombian Independence Day
July 26: Liberian Independence Day Dinner and Ball
July 27: Carifest
August 10: India Fest
OIRA participates in Continuing Legal Education and other presentations and seminars to address immigration-related topics as well as City of Minneapolis Welcoming Policies, Programs and Initiatives, including the following recent events:
Facebook Live event in conjunction with Isuroon and Minnesota Public Housing Partnership, on the subject of immigrants and housing
Hawthorne Neighborhood Council Podcast (Episode 20), on the subject of the purpose and mission of OIRA
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The Minnesota Freedom Fund pays immigration bonds for people who are detained during their immigration court cases. People who cannot afford to pay their immigration bonds and remain jailed throughout their immigration court (removal) cases find it harder to hire an immigration attorney and are less likely to win in immigration court. Prolonged detention also harms families. The Minnesota Freedom Fund accepts donations and has an online application form for people needing assistance in paying their immigration bonds.
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