Immigrant parents in Minneapolis fear separation from children

Thousands of immigrant parents in Minneapolis say they are staying home and arranging Delegations of Parental Authority after federal immigration officers were deployed; a judge ordered the release of a detained five-year-old boy.

Immigrant parents in Minneapolis say they are hiding at home to avoid encounters with federal immigration agents and fear being separated from their children. The deployment of thousands of immigration officers to the city in recent months has increased anxiety among asylum seekers and undocumented families. Some parents are arranging Delegations of Parental Authority (DOPA) so trusted caregivers can care for their children if parents are detained. A judge recently ordered the release of a five-year-old boy who had been taken into custody with his father. Key facts: - Thousands of immigrant parents report limiting movements and staying at home after the deployment of federal immigration officers to Minneapolis. - Local organizers and groups are helping families prepare Delegations of Parental Authority; one organiser says he has helped with paperwork for over 1,000 children. - A five-year-old boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, was detained with his father; officials said the father requested the boy be detained, and a judge ordered their release. - Some parents say they cannot safely leave home to complete notarized guardianship forms, so community members have been making house calls to assist. Summary: The reporting describes families taking legal steps and changing daily routines in response to heightened immigration enforcement, while community groups have mobilised to help prepare guardianship documents. Broader legal and enforcement developments are undetermined at this time.