The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today said the announcement by federal immigration officials of a limited drawdown of ICE agents from Minnesota is a direct result of sustained public resistance and renewed community organizing against unconstitutional enforcement practices.
CAIR-MN emphasized that the reduction of personnel does not address the broader crisis facing Minnesota communities, including allegations of unlawful arrests of protesters, aggressive intimidation tactics, and the ongoing lack of transparency surrounding the killings of local residents during federal operations.
CAIR-MN also noted that the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti remain without independent public accountability, despite widespread calls for investigation and prosecution. The organization further highlighted reports that 14 prosecutors have resigned amid concerns tied to constitutional violations and the erosion of legal and ethical standards expected of those sworn to uphold the law.
“The limited drawdown of ICE agents from Minnesota is not a concession. It is a direct response to Minnesotans standing up to unconstitutional federal overreach,” said Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director of CAIR-Minnesota. “Minnesotans are winning against this attack on all our communities by organizing, resisting, and defending our constitutional rights. But this moment should not be a victory lap. It must instead be a call to continue pushing for justice. The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of federal immigration agents remain uninvestigated, and communities and prosecutors alike have raised grave concerns about violations of their oaths and the Constitution. This is not the time to pull back, it is the time to deepen our resilience, increase our support for one another, and keep fighting for our democracy and accountability until justice is served.”
CAIR-MN reiterated its call for immediate action, including:
- A full, transparent, and independent investigation into the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti
- State-level accountability measures, including potential criminal charges where warranted
- Federal oversight and public disclosure of enforcement operations conducted in Minnesota
- Protection of the constitutional rights of protesters, legal observers, and community members
- An end to intimidation tactics targeting immigrant and refugee communities
CAIR-MN urged Minnesotans of all backgrounds to remain engaged and to continue organizing in defense of civil rights, due process, and the fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.
CAIR-MN is the state’s leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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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; 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