When federal immigration agents pounded on the door of his Minneapolis home, the oldest son in a family of 10 knew he had to move his siblings to a safer place. Their mother, a 41-year-old Indigenous Ecuadorian without a criminal record other than minor traffic offenses, had been detained for entering the country illegally.
With fears of further detentions looming, the family sought help from Feliza Martinez, a church friend who mobilized volunteers to relocate them to a safe house in south Minneapolis.
Martinez represents the countless residents in the Twin Cities providing aid to immigrants, motivated by word-of-mouth appeals and outrage at the aggressive tactics employed by federal agents.
As raids become a common occurrence with over 3,000 arrests reported in the past few months, residents have banded together to support those under threat. They offer rent payments for immigrant families too scared to work, deliver meals, and help arrange care for children in the event of parental detention.
“I receive calls every day from families terrified of being separated,” Martinez said, tirelessly volunteering amidst her own responsibilities. “We try to bring hope.”
Leaving home to stay safe
Snow covered the streets as the Wampash Tuntuam family settled into their new safe house, greeted by compassion and supplies from strangers. Yet, the worry for their mother lingered heavily. They had seen agents surrounding their home before, not social workers as they had been told.
The emotional toll was apparent in the children, especially as they processed their mother’s detention and contemplated an uncertain future. The eldest son stepped up to look after his younger siblings, facing new challenges as a caregiver.
“It was beautiful here once,” he reflected on Minneapolis. “Now, it’s all about fear.” Yet amidst the turmoil, he finds solace in the kindness of those around them, who continue to step in despite the overwhelming odds.
In this atmosphere of tension, community solidarity showcases the humanity often overshadowed by laws, as they offer aid, comfort, and support to those navigating life on the edges of legality.
