Immigrants are the heart of America’s story. They are the builders of our cities, drivers of innovation, keepers of culture, and stewards of care in every corner of society. Their labor, creativity, and resilience have enriched our communities, strengthened our economy, and expanded the meaning of what it truly means to be American.

Immigration justice calls for the fair and humane treatment of immigrants within both legal and social systems. It emphasizes access to legal representation, due process, and protection of human rights, particularly for those in detention or facing systemic barriers.

The current immigration climate in the U.S. is increasingly hostile, marked by aggressive enforcement, harmful policies, and widespread fear in immigrant communities, making grassroots action and advocacy more vital than ever. A few examples:

Massive investment in enforcement & detention: A recent $150–170 billion budget deal has fueled explosive growth in ICE, CBP, border walls, and capacity of detention centers. The conditions at these detention centers are purposefully inhumane, and the tens of thousands of new agents include militia-for-hire, who refuse to identify themselves or comply with legal rights.

Fear and intimidation tactics: ICE has resumed courthouse and school arrests, raids in workplaces and homes (even of U.S. citizens), and “sensitive locations” crackdowns, leaving immigrants afraid to seek help, attend school, or even report crimes .
Targeted anti-immigrant policies: Executive actions are stripping Temporary Protected Status, suspending refugee resettlement, and expanding federal-state enforcement programs, all disproportionately harming asylum seekers, survivors of violence, and communities of color .

Why your involvement matters:
These policies continue to terrorize immigrant communities and strip away their rights. The most effective counter is engaged, vocal, and consistent civic participation. By volunteering with legal aid groups, supporting Know‑Your‑Rights campaigns, contacting representatives, and raising awareness, you can help protect the safety and security of your immigrant neighbors, hold officials accountable, and defend a more just and humane immigration system.

What can I do to help?

Here are some immediate calls to community action provided by local immigration advocates:

Get involved in the Rapid Response Network of Rochester and Southeast MN through the Immigrant Defense Network. We will hold a training for people who defend constitutional rights to prepare and respond quickly when ICE shows up in our communities. For more information, email davidp@copalmn.org
Register for Bystander Intervention to Support Immigrant Communities Training to learn the tools to safely and effectively intervene when they witness anti-immigrant hate, harassment, or discrimination. July 24th virtual session offered by Right to Be
Subscribe to a service that helps to track and monitor ICE activity in your area | ICEBlock | Stop ICE Raids Alert Network
Join Conversations with Friends (CWF) and become a pen pal with an ICE detainee
Sign up with Southeastern Minnesota Interfaith Immigration Legal Defense (SMIILD) to drive immigrants to ICE check-ins and immigration court hearings
Sign up to accompany immigrants to ICE and Immigration Court appointments to demonstrate community support
Support sponsorship of asylum seekers and other immigrants in need of assistance through the UU Church Immigration Justice Fund
Donate to SMIILD through the Rochester Area Foundation
Detained persons representing themselves have a 3% chance of avoiding deportation. Having an attorney and getting out of detention increases the chances of avoiding deportation to 74%, almost 25 times better. Justice should not depend on ability to pay.
Check out the list of national calls to action from the Immigration Justice Campaign.
Organize to change laws and policies affecting immigrants through ACHLA and COPAL, locally, and through state and national immigration related organizations. See our list of organizations doing great work for immigrants and get involved!

Get involved!

COPAL, Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina, is a member-based organization established in 2018 to improve the quality of life of Latine families. Over the past seven years, COPAL has evolved to become a well-known, grassroots power-building, and visionary transnational organization. Read more about COPAL and get involved!
The Alliance of Chicanos, Hispanics and Latin Americans (ACHLA) is a grassroots nonprofit serving the Rochester area and southeastern Minnesota. We work alongside Latino families to strengthen education, expand opportunities, and build connections that benefit the entire community. Get involved with the ACHLA today!
Southeastern Minnesota Interfaith Immigrant Legal Defense (SMIILD) works to ensure the availability of immigration legal services for those who live or work in Southeastern Minnesota. Find out more and contribute here.
Conversations with Friends (CWF) is a dedicated, humanitarian, all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose members write weekly pen-pal letters and send birthday cards and Sunshine Club cards to people detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Freeborn County Adult Detention Center (Albert Lea), Kandiyohi County Jail (Willmar), and Sherburne County Jail (Elk River). In addition, we make modest commissary deposits; we provide ‘Dignity’ backpacks for those who have been ordered deported; we provide Safe Release services to people who have been released and need assistance reaching their final destination; and we visit people detained by ICE at the Freeborn County Adult Detention Center. Get involved with CWF today!
The Immigrant Defense Network (IDN) is an alliance of over 90 immigrant, labor, legal, faith, and community organizations dedicated to protecting and advancing the constitutional rights of immigrant communities across Minnesota. In the face of ongoing and escalating threats to immigrant rights, IDN delivers trusted information, referrals to legal support, and coordinated educational activities. Immigrants are the backbone of Minnesota’s economy, cultural richness, and civic life. We all deserve to live with dignity and without fear. Learn more and get involved with the IDN today!
The American Immigration Council serves thousands of individuals in immigration detention centers. Through the Immigration Justice Campaign, our initiative with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, our goal is to increase access to legal counsel by leveraging a nationwide network of volunteers and training lawyers to vigorously defend immigrants facing removal. This organization also provides a wealth of information and resources. Visit their website and get involved!
The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) defends the rights of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. This work is done through 1) direct legal services 2) impact litigation 3) policy advocacy and 4) strategic communications. Support the NIJC today!
The ILRC trains attorneys, paralegals, and community-based advocates who work with immigrants around the country. We inform the media, elected officials, and public to shape effective and just immigration policy and law. Our staff works with grassroots immigrant organizations to promote civic engagement and social change. Learn more about the IRLC here.
The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), established in 1911, is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit international organization dedicated to addressing the needs and rights of refugees and immigrants. USCRI, working with its affiliates, provides legal services, social, and health services to refugees, unaccompanied migrating children, trafficking survivors, and other immigrants in all 50 states, El Salvador, Honduras, Kenya, and Mexico. USCRI advocates for the rights of refugees and immigrants both nationally and globally, helping to drive policies, practices and law. Find out more!
Since 1961, Amnesty International USA has fought to protect human rights as the world’s largest grassroots human rights organization. Learn about their mission and get involved!