Over the past year, the Trump administration has dramatically increased immigration enforcement in Minnesota and across the nation. During an Oct. 24 press conference in Minneapolis, Homeland Security Secretary Krisiti Noem “promised a surge in new agents.” Now, immigrant rights advocates are calling for community members to take photos and videos of federal agents making immigration arrests, in an effort to increase transparency and document potential misconduct.
Sahan has reported about the ramp-up of immigration efforts across the state — including arrests involving Hmong Minnesotans. Some Hmong men convicted of crimes two or three decades ago were detained and deported over the summer.
Within the first six months this year, the Lao Embassy has issued travel documents for 145 U.S. deportees to be accepted into Laos. Typically in the past, about 10 U.S. deportees were accepted each year into Laos, according to Moua Her, consular officer at the Lao Embassy in Washington, D.C.
The changes to immigration policies are impacting other Southeast Asian communities too. The United States has a repatriation agreement with some Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam and Cambodia. This means that on paper those countries accept the return of individuals born in the country. However, Laos does not have this agreement with the U.S.
MN8, an immigrant-led advocacy and anti-deportation organization, held a rally in August to support Hmong deportees and their families. A few Hmong elected officials showed up for the rally, including Rep. Kaohly Vang Her, who won the recent election for St. Paul mayor. The organization has been helping Southeast Asian detainees since 2016.
Montha Chum, the executive director and co-founder of MN8, will be joining Sahan Journal on Nov. 20, at 2 p.m., to take your questions about what’s going on – and how Minnesotans can respond and help.
Please note that our guest cannot answer legal questions or give specific legal advice during this event.
You can share your questions ahead of time by emailing community engagement manager Hannah Ihekoronye at hihekoronye@sahanjournal.com. (Anonymous questions are welcome.) .
Instagram Live: Immigration updates and resources
- What: A chance for you to ask your questions about how expanded immigration enforcement is affecting Southeast Asian communities in Minnesota.
- Who: MN8 executive director and co-founder Montha Chum, hosted by Sahan Journal digital producer Alberto Villafan
- Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
- Time: 2-3 p.m. CST
- Where: Live on Sahan Journal’s Instagram
- Cost: Free
About the speaker
- Montha Chum was born in Khao-I-Dang, a refugee camp in Thailand, after her family fled the genocide and civil war in Cambodia. At four years old, she resettled in the United States, and today calls Minnesota home. Her advocacy began in 2016 when her youngest brother and seven other Cambodian Minnesotans were detained by ICE. In response, she co-created the #ReleaseMN8 Campaign, which later became MN8, a grassroots organization where she now serves as executive director.
