When federal immigration agents knocked on the door of their Minneapolis home, a 20-year-old son from a family of ten quickly realized he needed to find a safer refuge for his siblings. His mother, a 41-year-old Indigenous Ecuadorian office cleaner, was detained in early January for entering the country without authorization, sparking fears among her children about their own safety.
Seizing upon the urgency of the situation, the family reached out to Feliza Martinez, a fellow church member who mobilized volunteers to stealthily relocate them to a safer location in South Minneapolis.
Martinez is part of a larger movement of Twin Cities residents united in their commitment to assist immigrant families. This grassroots support system has emerged in response to the alarming tactics of federal agents, who have broken down doors and forcibly detained individuals in recent months, a trend that has intensified under the Biden administration.
Throughout the region, families have noticed a significant increase in immigration enforcement, with reports indicating over 3,000 arrests since December. In light of this, concerned residents are banding together to monitor and disrupt these actions, while also organizing protests.
Many locals have taken to providing essential assistance to affected families, including paying rent, delivering meals, and arranging emergency procedures to ensure children are cared for in case their parents are detained. Organizations like Source MN have expanded their food programs to support the hundreds of families now searching for shelter.
“I receive calls daily from terrified families, and we try to help as best we can,” Martinez shared, expressing her commitment to bring hope to those in fear. “People just want to know they are not alone.”
Struggles of the Wampash Tuntuam Family
Upon arriving at the safe house after being relocated, the Wampash Tuntuam family quickly settled in. A wave of neighborhood support brought snacks, baby supplies, and even assembled beds for the children, who began to play together despite the tense circumstances that led to their relocation.
However, the older siblings were still troubled, worried about the safety of their family amidst looming fears of deportation. They recalled that federal agents had made multiple visits to their home, claiming they were merely social workers wanting to check on the children, only to arrive in armed agents.
This shocking encounter opened their eyes to the reality of their situation, causing them to grapple with the pressing uncertainty surrounding their family's future. The family is now facing the threat of separation and is creating contingency plans for the care of their youngest members in the event that their mother is forced to leave the country.
Martinez reflected on her past support for hardline immigration policies but has found her perspective shifting as she witnesses the human impacts of these policies firsthand. “What I’ve seen, it’s not Christian. It’s not my beliefs,” she said, expressing regret for her previous voting choices.
The Department of Homeland Security maintains that there is no policy of separating families during detentions and insists they enforce the law in accordance with established due process.
As the crackdown continues, families like the Wampash Tuntuams hold onto hope, supported by a community committed to their safety and well-being against an increasingly hostile immigration landscape.
