The national media has turned away from Minnesota, but we're asking you to help us continue to fight for our neighbors! Your donation of any size — no matter how large or small — is necessary and appreciated.

We're a small group of St. Paul neighbors that began delivering groceries last month to 44 immigrant families in hiding from ICE. Each family was introduced to us through a close personal connection.

Because ICE was regularly detaining people based solely on the color of their skin, it wasn't safe for individuals to leave their homes for almost three months. Now, it will take many more months for individuals to recover from the massive material and psychological damage that ICE inflicted during their occupation. here.

Your generous donation will help us continue our work with these families until they're back on their feet again.

Every week, each family tells us how we can support them, and we help meet their needs on a 1:1 basis ... because those closest to harm best understand what they need the most. This mutual aid has taken the form of grocery deliveries, rent relief, help with negotiating utility bill payments, and more.

Throughout this time, we've consistently worked to connect each family with larger organizations that can provide sustainable support services. However, food and rent relief waiting lists are long, and families' urgent needs are falling through the cracks. So we're standing by their sides.

Individuals want nothing more than to return to self-sufficiency. Your donation supports their journey to reclaim the stability and dignity ICE stripped from our Minnesota immigrant communities. Help us continue the fight!

— Frequently asked questions — 

How are families identified?

We are introduced to each family by a single, trusted community leader with whom we have a personal connection. For safety reasons, identifying details are not shared publicly.

Why are families in crisis?

During the ICE Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, thousands of our immigrant neighbors stopped going to work, because it was unsafe for them to leave their homes for fear of being detained based solely on the color of their skin.

As a result, many families are now experiencing financial crisis. We've created this fund to administer direct aid, both to meet their urgent needs and to support them as they begin their long journey of recovery.

How are we helping families?

We offer direct funds for rent and bill payment assistance. We also purchase and deliver whatever fresh, familiar foods each family requests for themselves.

As part of our work, we also regularly provide each family with information about how to connect with established rent and food relief organizations, as well as various social services.

Over the past several weeks, in direct response to each family's unique requests, our group has:

Purchased and delivered nearly 100 grocery orders

Paid rent and utilities for 40 households

Connected families with local providers for additional support with food, ride coordination, legal counsel, and in-home health care

How long will you continue the work?

This is an immediate, short-term mutual aid effort. It is not a replacement for systemic solutions, but it meets urgent needs right now. We are committed to ensuring each family has adequate support resources through established organizations and community services and trust that they will tell us when they no longer need our support.

How do I know my donation is being used appropriately?

Beneficiaries are vouched for by trusted community members who know them personally. Funds go directly to grocery purchases, rent expenses, and utilities expenses. We may also use our discretion to cover auxiliary expenses for families, such as health care or legal expenses.

What happens if there are leftover funds each month?

Remaining funds will roll over month to month to continue our mutual aid to all 44 households. If households tell us they no longer need our support, remaining funds will be redirected to established food and basic needs organizations in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Donors will be informed of any shift in use.

How will donors receive updates?

We will share general updates about the number of families supported and how funds are used in aggregate, while protecting recipient privacy.

Thank you for being part of this network of care.

(Photo credit: Christopher Juhn/Anadolu via Getty Images)