How to share your stories about Operation Metro Surge with Minnesota Truth Council

A council composed of legal experts, community organizations and state officials is hosting public meetings to hear from Minnesotans affected by Operation Metro Surge.

The 18-member Minnesota Truth Council was established by Governor Tim Walz in late March, and will publish a report with policy recommendations to prevent harm from federal immigration agents in the future.   

The council held its first public meeting Wednesday at the State Capitol, where about 50 people showed up to hear stories from community organizers and attorneys about the harm they witnessed and the ways they protected immigrants. The council is also seeking stories about experiences with Operation Post Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening, also known as Operation PARRIS, which started in early January when federal agents targeted  recently-arrived refugees.

“The choice to target Minnesota felt deliberate, like they wanted to make an example out of us,” said Sarah Lopez, policy director of Unidos Minnesota, a Latino advocacy group. “But we did not look away, because the constitution protects persons, not just citizens.” 

The council will host three more public meetings at the State Capitol. 

The council’s chair, retired Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter Cahill, said at a news conference Wednesday that residents can also share stories anonymously by filling out this online form.

Cahill also told reporters the council has no legal or law enforcement authority, but will refer any alleged violations of the law to the respective law enforcement or prosecutorial agency.  

Several Minnesotans testified, sharing stories of how federal agents threatened constitutional observers, took their photos, followed them home and aggressively used chemical irritants on the public. 

Local immigration attorneys also testified, describing unsanitary conditions in federal immigration custody. They also told the council that detainees were denied legal counsel at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building. 

“Community members couldn’t do anything but shelter at home and wait for days where they would feel safe again,” said Montha Chum, executive director of MN8, an immigrant-led organization that fights against deportation in the Southeast Asian community. 

Federal agents in St. Cloud frequently drove 30 miles above the speed limit in residential neighborhoods, conducted traffic stops to ask residents on St. Paul’s East Side to point out Hmong neighbors, and wrongfully detained Indigenous Minnesotans, according to some community organizers who testified. 

“Not only did ICE officers take many immigrants from our communities, often using questionable tactics, but they intentionally fomented a chaotic and traumatic environment to make the lives of immigrants residing in those places a living hell,” said Pedro dos Santos, a board member of Fe y Justicia, a nonprofit serving the Latine community in central Minnesota. 

The council plans to release a preliminary report on Oct. 31, and publish a final report by the end of the year that will be presented to the governor and state lawmakers.