For Immediate Release: March 10, 2026
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
The People’s Hearing on Immigration Enforcement, an Effort to Bring Transparency and Accountability to Devastating Immigration Enforcement Practices
Click here for photographs from the event.
St. Paul, MN – Today, civil rights leaders, public officials, and community advocates stood together at the Minnesota State Capitol to announce the People’s Hearing on Immigration Enforcement, a public forum that will hear testimony from families directly impacted by federal immigration enforcement, local organizers, legal representatives, and more.
The purpose of the People’s Hearing on Immigration Enforcement is to help document and preserve public testimony regarding the impact of federal immigration enforcement on constitutional protections, civil rights, and community safety. The forum will include a public testimony portion and will provide space to examine enforcement practices including use of force, deaths involving federal officers, deaths in custody, warrantless stops, and impacts on lawful protest and civic participation.
“When communities’ rights are being violated, listening to and learning from people directly affected is one of the most important things we can do. Gathering this kind of testimony is part of a long civil-rights tradition. Today’s hearing is about beginning to build a clear public record about how reckless immigration enforcement is hurting Minnesotans’ ability to afford our lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect,” said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.
“During Operation Metro Surge, Unidos MN’s rapid response networks and constitutional observers documented enforcement practices that raised serious concerns about civil rights and transparency. While the operation has officially ended, federal agents continue to operate in our communities and families across Minnesota are still living with its consequences. Our communities deserve transparency, accountability, and clear protections for constitutional rights,” said Emilia Gonzalez Avalos, Executive Director, Unidos Minnesota / Monarca.
“Across Minnesota and across this country, immigrant families are living with the daily fear that a routine drive, a trip to school, or going to work could separate them from their loved ones. Enforcement practices that disregard civil rights do not make our communities safer—they make them more vulnerable. Our communities deserve policies rooted in dignity, accountability, and the fundamental belief that every family deserves to live without fear,” said Edwin Torres DeSantiago, Manager, Immigrant Defense Network.
“What we are witnessing is not just an immigration issue—it is a civil rights issue. When enforcement tactics erode trust, families stop calling for help, workers stay silent about abuse, and entire communities are pushed into the shadows. The Immigrant Defense Network is here to say clearly: protecting immigrant communities means protecting the civil rights and humanity of all of us,” Francisco Segovia, Executive Director, COPAL.
“For over a year, federal immigration agents have infiltrated communities, detained people in violation of their constitutional rights, assaulted bystanders, and even taken innocent lives. Minnesotans of all walks of life have had to endure daily disruptions to their lives and at times terror from an overreaching and overbearing government force acting without restraint or accountability. We applaud the people and local community-based organizations in Minnesota who showed the nation what it looks like to resist peacefully in defense of their neighbors, and our constitutional and human rights. We have a responsibility now to listen and learn from people who have been witnesses and victims of the perils of an unchecked federal presence so that we can prevent this from continuing to happen in communities across the country,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO, Hispanic Federation.
“Our nation has watched in technicolor the chaos and brutality the people of Minnesota faced during the immigration enforcement surge, and today’s hearing provides a space to fearlessly air their thoughts, emotions and relentless spirit. Uplifting the stories of Minnesota’s families and communities will help ensure that we have a public record, that there’s transparency, and that there’s accountability for inhumane immigration enforcement practices. The stories we heard today are also invaluable to protecting our civil and constitutional rights as we move forward. We are grateful to the families, community leaders and elected representatives who showed up for their community and country. In the midst of the fear and chaos, our nation has also seen the kindness, solidarity and bravery of Minnesotans, a light that must always shine bright during challenging times,” said Katharine Pichardo, President and CEO, Latino Victory.
“We are here today to bear witness to the testimonies of the Minneapolis and St. Paul communities who have been terrorized by our federal government. We are here to immortalize their stories and experiences for the public record. This administration is going to deport anyone who looks different, has an accent or seems different. They are going to arrest and ask questions later. They are going to shoot and ask questions later. You have to witness it. Before neighbors have time to move on, we need to properly document what happened, learn from what happened and make sure it does not happen again,” said Luis A. Miranda Jr., patriarch of the Miranda Family and Miranda Family Fund.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to hear first-hand from the Minnesota community. There are far too many people that have been directly impacted by egregious and deadly federal immigration enforcement. As Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, it’s my responsibility to take seriously the growing concerns that have been raised to the Commission regarding blatant civil rights violations in the name of immigration enforcement,” said Rochelle Garza, Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
About the People’s Hearing on Immigration Enforcement
The People’s Hearing on Immigration Enforcement is being convened by civil rights leaders, community organizations, impacted families, and public officials committed to advancing constitutional accountability in federal immigration enforcement. It will take place on March 10, 2026 in St. Paul, MN.
About Unidos Minnesota / Monarca
Unidos MN is a grassroots organization that builds power for Minnesota’s working families to advance social, racial, and economic justice.
About Immigrant Defense Network
Immigrant Defense Network is a statewide network of more than 100 organizations committed to defending and advancing the rights, dignity, and safety of immigrant communities through rapid response, legal support, community organizing, and narrative change.
About Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina (COPAL)
COPAL Minnesota is a member-based organization driven to improve the quality of life for Minnesota’s Latine communities.
About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized, and immigrant Latine. With programs in 43 states and territories, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
About Latino Victory
Latino Victory was founded in 2014 to build political power within the Latino Community, so that Latino voices and values are reflected at every level of government, and in the policies that drive our country forward. Since then, Latino Victory has filled a critical void in the Latino civic engagement infrastructure, building a powerful and influential Latino voting base, united around progressive values and empowered to take action. Additionally, Latino Victory has supported over 350 candidates for public office and elected over 200 Latino leaders, expanding Latino political representation throughout the country.
About Miranda Family Fund
For over 40 years, the Miranda Family has championed community activism. They have created and supported institutions that have served both underserved populations in Upper Manhattan and communities throughout New York City, across the country, and in Puerto Rico. Luis A. Miranda, Jr. and Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda are proud parents to Luz Miranda-Crespo, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Miguel Towns. Now as adults, Luz and Lin-Manuel are married to Luis Crespo and Vanessa Nadal, respectively, with children of their own. They continue to foster the family’s commitment to advocacy for education, the arts, and social justice – along with a sustained focus on relief and rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Maria.
