# Support
Here are just a *few* of the ways you can help Minnesotans in our effort to support our friends, neighbors and communities:

## :sos: General support
==- :family: Communities Organizing Latine Power and Action (COPAL) (improve quality of life for Latino families in MN) {#copal}
[COPAL](https://copalmn.org/) *"leads social impact initiatives to improve the quality of life for Latino families in Minnesota."*  COPAL focuses on:

![COPAL's areas of focus | 600](/support/copal.png)

==- :large_green_circle: GiveMN (provides direct aid to care for targeted communities) {#givemn}
[-![](/support/givemn.png)](https://www.givemn.org/community/communityresponse)
**[GiveMN.org](https://www.givemn.org/community/communityresponse)** gives you the opportunity to help *"organizations providing direct aid, legal support, advocacy, and care to neighbors affected by immigration operations and economic uncertainty across Minnesota."*

==- :family: MN Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) (fights to give immigrants full equality in all areas of life) {#mirac}
[MIRAC](https://www.miracmn.com/) is *"an all-volunteer, grassroots, multiracial, and multinational immigrant rights mass-movement organization. MIRAC fights for legalization for all, an end to immigration raids and deportations, an end to all anti-immigrant laws, and full equality in all areas of life."*  MIRAC believes:

![MIRAC's beliefs](/support/mirac.png)

==- :standing_person: StandWithMinnesota.com (directory of causes to donate to) {#standwithmn}
[-![](/support/standwithmn.png)](https://www.standwithminnesota.com)
**[StandWithMinnesota.com](https://standwithminnesota.com)** contains a *"...directory of places to donate comes from activists on the ground, plugged into the situation.  Everything is vetted, with the exception of individual GoFundMes (not everyone is in our networks, and we don’t want to pick and choose who is worthy of help.)"*  

Opportunities to help include:

* Help impacted families pay their rent (see [this link](https://www.standwithminnesota.com/keepmnhoused) specifically for rent/housing help)
* Donate to orgs on the frontlines
* ...and more

==- :family: Support MN immigrant communities (various resources to support immigrants) {#support-mn-immigrants}
**[Ways to Support Minnesota's Immigrant Communities as ICE Activity Escalates](https://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/general-interest/ice-minnesota-support-immigrant-communities-fundraisers-food-drives-trainings/)** is an article from MSPMag that has a bucket full of excellent resources covering a variety of categories, including:

!!!light
* Trainings and Know-Your-Rights Info
* If You or Your Loved Ones Are Affected by ICE Activity 
* Rent Support
* Mutual Aid Funds and Organizations to Donate To
* Food (and Essential Goods) Drives
* Restaurants and Businesses to Support
* Restaurant Closures
* Restaurant Fundraisers and Specials 
!!!

===

## :judge: Legal / human rights

==- :mega: Democracy Forward (using legal cases to push back against Trump administration) {#democracy-forward}
[DemocracyForward.org](https://democracyforward.org/) says *"We use the law to build collective power and advance a bold, vibrant democracy for all people."*  They have scored some big courtroom wins (from their Web page):

![A sample of Democracy Forward's legal wins | 600](/support/democracyforward.png)

You can [support](https://democracyforward.org/act/donate/) Democracy Forward's efforts (a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization).

==- :family: Each Step Home (reunites families traumatized by U.S. immigration policies) {#each-step-home}
[Each Step Home](https://www.eachstephome.org) is *"a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the damage caused by cruel and negligent treatment arising from American immigration policy."*  Check out [this page](https://www.eachstephome.org/?form=commissary) dedicated to raising money for kids locked away at Dilley Immigration Processing Center.

==- :family: Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (free immigration legal representation to low-income immigrants) {#ilcm}
[ILCM](https://www.ilcm.org/) is:

*"...a nonprofit organization that provides free immigration legal representation to low-income immigrants and refugees in Minnesota and North Dakota. ILCM provides services based on our capacity. ILCM has a generally high demand for services. Unfortunately, we may not always be able to assist someone. If we cannot assist you, we will refer you to another trusted organization or immigration attorney."*

==- :footprints: Haven Watch (provides rides/food/etc. for folks released from ICE detention centers) {#haven-watch}
[Haven Watch](https://havenwatch.org/) was formed *"after witnessing firsthand what happens when people are released from ICE detention centers in Minnesota, often traumatized, without phones, IDs, transportation, or even proper clothing in extreme cold. What began as providing emergency support like phones, coats, and rides has quickly grown into something much larger."*

==- :family: National Immigration Law Center (NILC) (defends low-income immigrants and their loved ones) {#nilc}
[-![](/support/nilc.png)](https://www.nilc.org/donate) 
**[The National Immigration Law Center](https://www.nilc.org/donate)** has been around for almost 50 years and is *"dedicated to advancing and defending the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their loved ones."*  They represent the rights low-income immigrants across the country.  NILC defends those rights through litigation, "know your rights" trainings, advocacy in congress and partnering with communities all across the country. 

*This information was pulled from [this Instagram reel](https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUQ0KwbjnN5/).*

==- :family: The Advocates for Human Rights (defends human rights) {#advocates-for-human-rights}
[The Advocates for Human Rights](https://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/Home) *"believes that everyone has the power to demand and defend human rights."* and *"represents people in the Upper Midwest who are seeking asylum, detained by immigration, unaccompanied children, or trafficking victims."*  Here is the organization's priorities:

![Priorities of The Advocates for Human Rights | 600](/support/tafhr.png)

===

## :dollar: GoFundMe/Kickstarter campaigns for individuals/businesses
==- :flag-sv: Abrego Garcia (illegally deported) {#abrego-garcia}
-![Abrego Garcia |300](/support/abrego.png) 
Abrego Gargia was illegally deported on March 15, 2026 under the Trump administration, which it called "an administrative error."  

[![Abrego's GoFundMe link |150](/support/gofundme.png)](https://www.gofundme.com/f/legal-aid-for-kilmar-abregogarcias-government-abduction)

==- :ice_cube: Alex Pretti (killed by ICE) {#alex-pretti}
-![Alex Pretti |300](/support/alex.png)  
Alex was executed on the streets of Minneapolis on January 24, 2026 by Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez *(source: [ProRepublica](https://www.propublica.org/article/alex-pretti-shooting-cbp-agents-identified-jesus-ochoa-raymundo-gutierrez) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUPiNx4ESZ9/))*.  

[![Alex's GoFundMe link |150](/support/gofundme.png)](https://www.gofundme.com/f/alex-pretti-is-an-american-hero)

==- :house: Help Minneapolis families pay rent this month {#help-mpls-pay-rent}
-![Help MN families pay rent |300](/support/rent.png)
This GoFundMe is designed to help MN families pay rent. The page also [encourages signatures on a petition to stop evictions](https://actionnetwork.org/letters/evict-ice-not-us-minneapolis-eviction-moratorium) while ICE occupies the Twin Cities.

[![Rent assistance GoFundMe link |150](/support/gofundme.png)](https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-minneapolis-families-pay-rent-this-month)

==- :baby: Juan Nicolás (2-month-old detained by ICE in Dilley, Texas) {#juan-nicolas}
-![Juan Nicolás |300](/support/juan.png)
"*Juan Nicolás, just two months old, was the youngest detainee in Dilley, Texas. He was sick with a cough for weeks while in detention and did not receive any medical care. His condition worsened to the point of having episodes of choking on his vomit, and then he was finally rushed by ambulance to a hospital after being unresponsive. Just 24 hours after being hospitalized, he was sent back to the detention center and then deported immediately afterwards. He and his family were left at the border with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a small amount of cash from their commissary account.*"

[![Juan's GoFundMe link |150](/support/gofundme.png)](https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-juan-nicolass-family-find-safety)

==- :truck: Leo Towing (offers free tows for ICE victims) {#leo-towing}
-![Leo Towing |300](/support/leo.png) 
Leo Towing offers free tows in West St. Paul, specifically [returning abandon vehicles to families after ICE arrests](https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/twin-cities-tow-truck-driver-returns-abandoned-vehicles-ice-arrests/).

[![Leo's Towing's GoFundMe link |150](/support/gofundme.png)](https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-leo-towing-for-ice-victims)

==- :ice_cube: Liam Ramos and his father (kidnapped by ICE) {#liam-ramos}
-![Liam Ramos |300](/support/liam.png)  
Liam Ramos and his father were detained by ICE in Minnesota and moved to a detention center in Texas *(source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/23/us/liam-conejo-ramos-ice-wwk).* Liam and his father returned home on February 1, 2026 *(source: [PBS](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/5-year-old-liam-conejo-ramos-and-his-father-released-from-texas-detention-facility-following-judges-order))*.

[![Liam's family's GoFundMe link |150](/support/gofundme.png)](https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-bring-5yearold-liam-home)

*Update February 2, 2026: this campaign has raised ~$460,000*.

==- :shopping_trolley: Minocqua Marketplace National Relaunch (pro-democracy marketplace alternative to Amazon) {#minocqua}
-![Minocqua Marketplace |300](/support/mm.png)
This Kickstarter funds *"the national relaunch of [Minocqua Marketplace](https://minocquamarketplace.com/), America’s first pro-democracy shopping platform, designed to help people support progressive businesses, strengthen America's resistance movement, and keep your money out of MAGA pockets."*

Also check out [this reel](https://www.instagram.com/reels/DU8cZjsjv6W/) from [amandasmildtakes](https://www.instagram.com/amandasmildtakes) and [this reel](https://www.instagram.com/reels/DU1npd0DrHc/) from [thewokeginger](https://www.instagram.com/thewokeginger/reels/) for more information about this project.

[![Minocqua Marketplace's Kickstarter link |150](/support/kickstarter.png)](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rockethub/minocqua)

==- :ice_cube: Renee Good (killed by ICE) {#renee-good}
-![Renee Good |300](/support/renee.png)
Renee was killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7, 2026 *(source: [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Ren%C3%A9e_Good))*.

[![Renee's GoFundMe link |150](/support/gofundme.png)](https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-renee-goods-wife-and-son)

*Update January 31, 2026: this campaign has been paused and has raised $1M+*. 

==- :smirk_cat: Smitten Kitten / Neighbors Helping Neighbors Rental Relief fund {#smitten-kitten}
*"Smitten Kitten is partnering with Neighbors Helping Neighbors due to the high volume of families who need rental assistance in Minneapolis. As many of you may know we started offering low barrier financial assistance to families effected by operation metro surge."* 

**The [Wilson Foundation](https://wilsonfoundationmn.org/) will match up to $250,000 on donations that the campaign raises!**

[![Smitten Kitten / NHN Neighbors Rental Relief Fund GoFundMe link |150](/support/gofundme.png)](https://www.gofundme.com/f/smitten-kitten-x-nhn-rental-relief-fund)

==- :microphone: Zachary Roberts (independent journalist/videographer) {#zachary-roberts}
-![Zach Roberts of Status Coup News | 300](/support/zach.png)
Zachary Roberts is an independent journalist with [Status Coup News](https://www.youtube.com/@StatusCoup/videos) (we recommend you watch them as part of your [news](/news) feed).  He has done some fantastic work doing livestreams of ICE activities/protests/etc. in Minnesota - some of the streams being multiple hours long in extreme negative temps!  

There's a GoFundMe to help cover his costs so he can come back to Minnesota and continue his awesome work on the streets of Minneapolis:

[![Zach's GoFundMe link |150](/support/gofundme.png)](https://www.gofundme.com/f/send-me-back-to-minneapolis)

===

## :knife_fork_plate: Restaurants/organizations providing food services

==- :taco: Hola Arepa (Minneapolis) {#hola-arepa}
[Hola Arepa](https://www.holaarepa.com/) [stopped an ICE raid](https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/minneapolis-restaurant-hola-arepa-resists-attempted-ice-raid).  Support them by eating their awesome food or buying something from their [online shop](https://www.holaarepa.com/shop).

==- :canned_food: La Viña Burnsville {#la-vina}
[La Viña](https://www.facebook.com/lavinaburnsville/) collects and delivers groceries and daily essentials to ICE-targeted communities in the southest metro.  La Viña also accepts cash donations on its [Web site](https://iglesiavina.org/).

==- :stew: Post Modern Times (Minneapolis) {#post-modern-times}
[Post Modern Times](https://moderntimesmpls.square.site/) is a free and donation-based restaurant where everyone is welcome - *except* ICE.  They welcome [donations](https://moderntimesmpls.square.site/product/donation/LFRW5SPRAWESJQIFOFEEIXT5) for this amazing effort.

==- :salt: The Salt Cure Recovery Fund {#salt-cure}
[The Salt Cure Recovery Fund](https://thesaltcurefund.org/) is collects donations for restaurants whose business was negatively impacted by Operation Metro Surge and ICE activities.  You can learn more about this effort and specific restaurants you can help in [this Instagram reel](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUvocOgkZRS/).

===