On Tuesday, January 13, the Minnesota chapter for the Council on American-Islamic Relations Minnesota (CAIR-MN), alongside community leaders and legal advocates, will hold a press conference to release new community guidance for individuals holding I-94 immigration status.
The guidance is being issued in response to escalation and targeting of lawful residents and growing reports that individuals lawfully present in the United States are being detained by federal immigration authorities.
WHEN: Tuesday, January 13, 11:30 AM CT
WHERE: CAIR-Minnesota Office, 2708 East Lake Street, Suite 202, Minneapolis, MN
CONTACT: Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director, CAIR-MN — 612-406-0070 — jhussein@cair.com; Suleiman Adan, Deputy Executive Director, CAIR-MN — 612-408-7183 — sadan@cair.com
LIVESTREAM: https://www.facebook.com/CAIR.Minnesota/
During the press conference, CAIR-MN will outline newly-developed community guidelines intended to help I-94 holders understand their rights, reduce risk during encounters with federal authorities, and respond appropriately if detained. These guidelines are being released in response to escalating fear and confusion within immigrant communities and the urgent need for clear, accurate information.
BACKGROUNDER:
CAIR-MN has received reports from community members, legal advocates, and family networks indicating that individuals holding valid I-94 documentation are being detained during encounters with federal immigration authorities. These reports have raised urgent concerns within immigrant communities across Minnesota regarding due process, lawful presence, and the increasing lack of clarity surrounding enforcement practices.
The I-94 Arrival/Departure Record is issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and is held by individuals who are lawfully present in the United States under various immigration classifications. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Asylum seekers with pending cases
• Individuals released on humanitarian parole
• Individuals granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or with TPS-related documentation
• Individuals admitted under certain nonimmigrant classifications
• Individuals with pending adjustment or immigration relief applications whose lawful presence is documented through an I-94
Community members report that despite possessing valid documentation, individuals are being detained during routine encounters, workplace incidents, traffic stops, or enforcement actions, often without clear explanations provided to families or legal counsel.
CAIR-MN emphasizes that the existence of an I-94 reflects lawful presence under federal law. Detention of individuals holding valid documentation raises serious constitutional and civil rights concerns, including violations of due process, unlawful detention, and lack of access to counsel.
CAIR-MN will also address broader concerns regarding the expansion of federal immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota and the chilling effect these practices are having on families, workers, students, and entire communities who are lawfully-present and contributing members of society.
Community Priorities and Calls to Action:
• Clear public guidance from federal authorities regarding enforcement practices involving individuals with valid I-94 documentation
• An immediate halt to the detention of individuals lawfully present absent clear legal justification
• Full access to legal counsel for any detained individual
• Transparency regarding detention practices, locations, and decision-making processes
• Protection of civil and constitutional rights for all immigrants, regardless of status
CAIR-MN urges community members who hold I-94 documentation, or who have family members impacted, to attend the press conference or seek guidance through trusted legal and community organizations.
CAIR-MN’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-MN es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com