Please help us in supporting our friends, the Afanador Rondon family, who were victims of ICE violence in their home in Minneapolis.

I am from St. Paul and representing this family on behalf of members of the Saint Paul and Minneapolis school communities in direct contact with the Afanador Rondons. The father, René Afanador, is the beneficiary of this fundraiser.

On January 14, the Afanador Rondons were at home in Minneapolis when federal agents chased and shot a resident of the adjacent apartment. The incident continues to be widely reported on as the original claims of the federal agents involved have been debunked. Read the most recent news coverage here

For the Afanador Rondon family, the agents’ reckless actions that night resulted in a bullet entering the children’s (ages 9, 7, 3, and 1) bedroom, where young children were sleeping. Their 39-week pregnant mom, Mislay, was in the next room making dinner. ICE agents broke down their door and, after hours of interrogation and trauma, arrested one family member (who has since been released after spending weeks detained in El Paso), and sent the rest of the family out into the sub-zero January night.

The family has been displaced ever since and continue to process all of this trauma as they try to rebuild a sense of normalcy and safety.

We are happy to share that, thanks to their community of neighbors and friends, the Afanador Rondons have found temporary housing and welcomed a healthy baby to the family a few weeks ago. The school-aged kids recently returned to school, and neighbors have been helping provide hot meals, groceries, and supplies. There is also reason for optimism regarding their longer-term immigration status.

But there is more work to do.

Unfortunately, the family’s income and ability to work has been severely disrupted and there is a growing list of unmet needs. We want to support Mislay and her family with funds for legal assistance, as well as for housing and living expenses until they can return to work fully. These expense include groceries, utility and gas bill, household supplies, and potential legal fees.

Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and will have an immediate, positive impact for the Afanador Rondons. All proceeds will be deposited directly to the family's bank account. Thank you for considering.