Ongoing Updates on ICE in West St. Paul

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West St. Paul has seen a sharp increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity since December.

This is an evolving story with frequent updates posted whenever we can. If you have updates to share, please contact us. (Note: We are not posting ICE sightings.)

February 3

• Reopening: Grande Sunrise Mexican Restaurant announced they will reopen on Thursday, February 5.

February 2

• Arrest: State Senate candidate Jamael Lundy released a statement about his arrest over the weekend, calling it “unnecessary” and “political persecution.”
• Citizens: Luis Escoto, the owner of El Taquito, shares the story of his ICE encounter with NPR and reflects on what the judge said when he became a citizen:

“I said, ‘Sir, what happens if the immigration officers stop me?’ And he said, ‘Well, today you’re proud to be a United States citizen,'” Escoto said.

The judge told him you don’t need documentation when you’re a citizen. But now, Escoto said, that doesn’t seem so true anymore.

January 31

• Protest: A small, peaceful group gathered to protest at Target this morning.

January 30:

• Solidarity: The Hmong American Farmers Association, which is based in West St. Paul, released a statement of encouragement and unity.
• Resources: The City of West St. Paul released immigrant resources in multiple languages.
• Election: Breaking news this morning as local candidate Jamael Lundy was arrested for his participation in the City Church protest.
• Local police: The New York Times reports on how local police are frustrated with ICE. The story quotes Mendota Heights Police Chief Kelly McCarthy, who says all the work they do to build trust is “just going down the toilet”. She also describes her own encounter with ICE:

Chief McCarthy said that on a recent day when she was off duty, she had gone, out of uniform, to act as a legal observer outside an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting conducted in Spanish near her home. There, she encountered a Border Patrol agent.

“He told me to get a job, and that I was a paid agitator,” she said. “I would have been embarrassed if he had been one of my officers.”

• Threats: Luis Escoto, the owner of El Taquito, says he received a death threat yesterday for speaking out against ICE.
• Sheriff: More explanation on the legality of county jails cooperating with ICE from Dakota County Sheriff Joe Leko on WCCO Radio.

January 29:

• Schools: ISD 197 posted a page of resources, support, and safety.
• Donate responsibly: Rep. Mary Frances Clardy shared a word of warning about crowdfunding sites looking to help: “While many are genuine, some are fraudulent schemes exploiting people’s compassion for personal gain.” She points to a resource from the Attorney General’s office, “Don’t Just Follow the Crowd on ‘CrowdFunding’ Websites”.
• Strike: With another general strike planned for Friday, a few local businesses are planning to close including: Amore Coffee, Fraidy Cats, Micho Love, Neighbors Inc. (starting at 11:30 a.m.), and Poppy and Wonderments (though opening their community space from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to “pour your rage into art or simply be there with your neighbors.”).

January 28:

• Music: Rep. Maria Isa Perez-Vega, who represents the northern half of West St. Paul, released a song yesterday, “Que se Vaya el Hielo” (Ice Out of Minnesota)”:

“The drums and my voice are tools of resistance and peace. They come from traditions that taught us how to survive, how to unify, and how to speak when silence causes harm. … I am a mother, a person born to serve, focus and fight for the people. This is just what is in my heart and a bit of light to shine on all of us to stay strong. Don’t be silent. This is for Renee, for Victor, for Alex, and for all of Minnesota. Pa’lante Siempre (keep moving forward, always).”

• Canceled: “After careful and thoughtful consideration of our community and staff safety,” Dodge Nature Center and the South Robert Street Business Association are canceling their annual Winter Fun Fest.
• Food shelves: Local nonprofits Neighbors Inc. and 360 Communities signed on to a letter from more than 90 other hunger relief organizations opposing Operation Metro Surge:

“Since the start of Operation Metro Surge in early December, the presence of thousands of federal ICE agents has brought chaos and violence to the communities we serve, leaving a growing number of our neighbors—including U.S. citizens—too afraid to leave their homes.

People are stranded and hungry. This cannot continue.”

• Strike: There is another general strike planned for Friday. Amore Coffee announced they will participate:

“You cannot afford to stay open. … It makes me absolutely sick to see human lives treated as disposable. … Being undocumented in this country is a civil petty-misdemeanor. Lives are being taken, the children are terrorized and we have a duty to stand up using our platforms. Get on your feet. You can stand by me.”

• School impact: A group of legislators spoke yesterday about the impact of ongoing ICE activity on students. Rep. Mary Frances Clardy, who represents the southern half of West St. Paul, spoke:

January 27:

• City: West St. Paul gave an update on city actions and added a page of resources to their website.
• City Council: Last night’s meeting included passing about a dozen measures in response to ICE activity, including supporting police de-escalation, increased police presence, approving up to $10,000 in emergency food assistance, supporting an eviction moratorium at the state level, and more.

January 26:

• Business: The owner of Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant asked us to extend their thanks to the community for the support. They have a GoFundMe, but the best way to help is to patronize the restaurant. Here’s a video from the owner saying thanks.
• Strike: While lots of businesses closed last Friday for the general strike, Amore Coffee stayed open for community service projects. See our story for more details.
• School district: About a dozen people attended the Coffee With the Superintendent event at Thompson Park Activity Center this morning. Questions ranged from district finances to usage of the aquatic center, though by far the most comment question had to do with ICE impacts and how the district is responding. Assistant Superintendent Peter Mau and Communications Director Sara Blair answered questions from community members:
  • Attendance: About 5% of students are consistently absent, which amounts to about 250 students, and is higher than normal. Parents, regardless of immigration status, cite fear of ICE detainment.
  • Online learning: ISD 197 is not able to offer a full online learning option like St. Paul and Minneapolis districts are, primarily due to economies of scale. But staff are trying to reach out to students who aren’t attending and recommending other options.
  • Resources: In response, community members are organizing to meet the needs of families. Each school has a volunteer community liaison working to connect resources with needs. Volunteers are delivering groceries, monitoring bus stops, and even walking dogs and providing notary services.

January 24:

• Vigil: See our photos from the peaceful gathering at Amore Coffee.
• Elected official: West St. Paul City Council Member Wendy Berry posted to social media today:

“Do not believe the false rhetoric you will see from our president and any other so-called leader tied to the federal administration. … This has to stop because there are so many more stories just like this. So. Many. More.

“Here’s what we’re going to do together. Drink our water. Take our meds. Be kind and show grace to one another. Be the helpers. Look for the helpers for others. Rest when we need it. Show up when we can and how we can.

“It’s hard to feel it right now, but we’ll get through this as long as we do it together. Somehow.”

• Vigil: In response to another killing by ICE agents, there’s a call for a vigil on street corners in neighborhoods at 7 p.m. tonight. Amore Coffee is participating and will open from 7:30 to 9:30 for warming and community. Another group is gathering at Robert and Marie and Emerson Park.

January 23:

• Incident: Heavy ICE presence this morning near Moreland and Stryker after a hit-and-run incident. West St. Paul police arrived on the scene and successfully de-escalated things. See our story for more.
• City Council: Monday’s meeting will include discussion of multiple potential recommendations for responding to ICE. Discussion will happen during the Open Council Work Session (OCWS) starting at 5 p.m., with any potential action to come during the regular meeting.

January 22:

• Cartoon Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist Steve Sack, who grew up in West St. Paul, shares his take on the church protest controversy in a recent cartoon on his Substack.
• Town hall: Last night Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins hosted a town hall where resident concerns about ICE dominated the conversation. Local police were present and responded to specific questions about ICE behavior and urged residents to call 911 if they feel unsafe.
• Business: Local restaurant Garibaldi has started a GoFundMe, so far raising $275 toward a goal of $9,000:

“I’m asking for help to try to stay open. I’ve been serving the West St. Paul community for two years, and in these difficult times, I haven’t been able to cover bills, rent, and salary. Please help me so I don’t have to close.”

• Art: A local family organized Art Against the Regime on Saturday, January 24 to benefit Neighborhood House on the West Side.
• Detained: Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins posted about Oscar, a South St. Paul student detained by ICE and shipped off to Texas and then New Mexico.
• Strike: Amore Coffee’s participation in the Friday strike comes with a twist—they’ll be open but not serving:

“Amore coffee will be participating in the general strike on Jan 23rd. We will not sell anything the day of. I encourage you to join us in community for service projects throughout the day. Drip coffee, apple cider and snacks will be provided all day to individuals PARTICIPATING in service projects with us.”

January 21:

• Inaccurate info: Dakota County Sheriff Joe Leko went on Fox 9 to talk about ICE detainers, why local police do not enforce immigration law, and Constitutional issues, all clarifying statements by ICE and others that may be misleading.
• Strike: A state-wide general strike is planned for Friday, January 23 to protest ICE (the Pioneer Press story includes a photo from Sunday’s sit-in at the West St. Paul Target).
  • Closed: West St. Paul businesses that have confirmed they will be closed include Calisota Boys Customs, Castillo’s Bakery, Eclipse Music, El Destino Market, El Taquito, Fraidy Cats, Micho Love, Mr. Mustacheo, Poppy and Wonderments, and Taco Libre.
  • Open: Amore Coffee will be open but not selling anything or taking orders. Eco Chico will be open, noting “here, we protest everyday.” FoodSmith is open with a wedding party—”joy must persevere!”—and notes the challenges for small businesses and “kindly request no haze be thrown around to any small business right now.” Given the extreme cold and the fact that they mainly sell firewood in the winter, Southview Garden Center will remain open.
  • Schools: An email to teachers in ISD 197 from the union discourages participation, citing contract language and potential disciplinary action. They recommend other ways to be involved. So barring a weather-related closure, ISD 197 schools should be open as usual. Update: School is cancelled for weather.

January 20:

• Business: We talked to three local businesses to learn about impacts of the increased ICE activity. (Firsthand reporting like this only happens with support. Thanks to our members and one-time donors. Learn how you can support local news.)
• Elected official: West St. Paul City Council Member John Justen posted a fiery message to social media, explaining the reality on the ground and urging ICE to leave. His post reads in part:

“Speaking for my inner city suburb, 24,000 people that are nearly 50% BIPOC, we’ve been somewhat less directly terrorized (an odd qualifier that shouldn’t be necessary) than some other communities so far. Before that seems like good news, I need people to understand that my Latinx/Somali/Eritrean/Ethiopian/Hmong neighbors are largely not leaving their homes, because they know that untrained federal agents will assault and detain them, and their children—regardless of immigration status. …

“We are a major metropolitan area under siege from the federal government. Please, no matter your political positioning, read that again, and let those words sink in.

“To the ICE agents—you are invaders. Monsters. Secret police. Unwelcome by all of us. If some of you are starting to see the horrors of your actions, quit. If we share some core of common decency (and I hope we do, we are both people)—quit. If you don’t? Get the f-ck out of this special place I love and go home. You are unwanted. You have no value. You are not a warrior, you are an invader. You are not a stabilizing force, you are a terrorist. You are not a cop, you are a criminal. You are a destabilizing force, sent into communities to ruin them. Good luck looking in the mirror when this is all over. …

“We will not back down. We will not bend. We will not betray our neighbors, and we will protect them, because we are unified. Y’all picked the wrong state to f-ck with. ICE out of Minnesota. Get f-cked, traitors.”

• Walkout: The Women’s March has organized a national Free America walkout at 2 p.m. local time today. Amore Coffee posted that they would be participating and to expect a “disruption in our service.”

January 19

• Protest: A group of nearly 100 people staged a sit-in at the West St. Paul Target this morning. See our story for more details. (We hired a contributor to cover the story since we’re stretched thin. Please consider supporting local news.)
• Racial profiling: A Star Tribune story alleging racial profiling by ICE agents leads with the story of Luis Escoto, owner of El Taquito in West St. Paul, and his wife who was stopped by Ice agents:

When he asked agents why they were questioning her, he said, they told him it was because she is Mexican.

“She’s brown. I look white,” Escoto said when recounting the exchange. “My, God, is this America?”

January 18

• Cancelled: A protest planned for tomorrow is cancelled due to cold weather.

January 17

• Suburbs: A Star Tribune story about suburban residents worried about ICE and speaking at City Council meetings quotes West St. Paul Mayor Dave Napier: “If I go out on street corners and start screaming at the camera, I guarantee you they’re going to double down and [it’s] going to be a lot tougher out here.” (See our coverage of that City Council meeting.)

January 16:

• Signs: Anti-ICE signs have started appearing along Robert Street. One reads “Minnesota Isn’t Afraid of a Little ICE” and another is by a local artist who preferred to remain anonymous. It reads: “Mama, ahora yo lucho por ti” or “Mom, now I fight for you.” (Photo used with permission)

• Reopened: Micho Love in West St. Paul reopened for the first time today after being closed due to few customers and employees not able to get to work.
• County impact: County Commissioner Joe Atkins reports that on Tuesday during the General Government & Policy Committee meeting, the commissioners will discuss “how recent and ongoing federal immigration enforcement activity may intersect with Dakota County’s responsibilities.”

“The purpose is straightforward: to understand whether—and to what extent—this activity is affecting, or may come to affect, county-required services and operations, including public safety coordination, elections, schools (attendance and truancy), child welfare, food supports, the courts, and local tax impacts. This is not about debating federal policy. It’s about doing our job at the county level—anticipating potential impacts early, making sure systems are working as intended, and ensuring we’re prepared to meet our legal obligations to residents.”

• Town hall: County Commissioner Joe Atkins is hosting a town hall at the Dakota County Northern Service Center on Wednesday, January 21 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Atkins asks people to bring a non-perishable food item to support people in need and notes Sheriff Joe Leko, West St. Paul Police Chief Brian Sturgeon, and Inver Grove Heights Police Chief Melissa Chiodo will be in attendance.
• Give back: For anyone looking to serve their community, Two Rivers High School is hosting their annual MLK Day of Service on Monday:

• Support: The Heritage PTA is hosting a tamale sale to support students and help a local business.
• Reporting: State Rep. Maria Isa Perez Vega encourages residents to submit reports of violations of Constitutional rights by ICE, business closures, and other impacts on the Attorney General’s Federal Action Reporting Form.
• Protest planned: A protest along Robert Street is planned for Monday from noon to 3 p.m. Update: Cancelled due to cold weather.
• El Taquito: Alex Escoto, whose parents own El Taquito and says his mother was racially profiled by ICE, appeared on CNN last night.
• El Destino Market: This West St. Paul business is now offering home delivery for people afraid to go out and has joined with other local businesses to distribute free food.

January 15:

• Heritage walkout: Shortly after noon, a few hundred students walked out at Heritage E-STEM Middle School to protest ICE. While they stayed on school grounds, many carried signs and there were several chants of “No more ICE!” It lasted about 20 minutes before they headed back inside. A small group of parents watched and cheered from the sidewalk.

• Protest: Yesterday, close to 20 people protested ICE on the corner of Wentworth and Robert.

• Neighbors resist: The New York Times reported yesterday on how the ICE crackdown is inspiring neighbors to take action, including a West St. Paul resident:

Ashley Lopez, who works in education and lives in the city of West St. Paul, has become active in anti-ICE neighborhood groups only in the week since Ms. Good’s death.

“Because of what happened to Renee, I felt like we had nothing to lose anymore,” said Ms. Lopez, who has joined patrols that blow whistles and set off their own car alarms if they see ICE agents. “Why should she be the only one who put herself in danger?”

• Heritage walkout: Heritage E-STEM Magnet School emailed parents yesterday about a potential student-led walkout happening today shortly after noon. Much like the high school, the district emphasized that it is not school sponsored. While the district supports students’ first amendment rights, they also detailed consequences for walking out of school, including unexcused absences and potentially forfeiting the right to participate in sports and activities that day.

January 14:

• Two Rivers walkout: More than one hundred students from Two Rivers High School walked out at noon today in protest of ICE in their community.

• El Taquito: WCCO reports on the incident at El Taquito where ICE agents questioned the 68-year-old owner, a U.S. citizen. These incidents show that ICE is not targeting criminals, as they claim, but appear to be racially profiling citizens.
• Student speaks out: Here’s video from last night’s City Council meeting of 16-year-old Evan, a student at Two Rivers High School. He lives in St. Paul and his grandparents own El Taquito in West St. Paul. Over the weekend, federal agents stopped his 68-year-old grandmother, a U.S. citizen. After Evan’s father spoke at the West St. Paul City Council meeting, Evan felt compelled to speak, despite being nervous.

January 13:

• High School support: Two Rivers High School has a sign up to help families with emergency support.
• School Board: At last night’s ISD 197 School Board meeting, Board Chair Sarah Larsen read a prepared statement emphasizing ISD 197’s committment to being a place where every student feels safe and valued, regardless of their ethnicity or immigration status. Her statement concluded with one of the district’s core values: “Together we thrive.”
• Uplifting sidewalk chalk: Dakota County Parks staff shared positive and uplifting messages with the community through sidewalk chalk at Thomson County Park (photos by Dakota County Parks):

• Two Rivers walkout: Two Rivers High School sent an email to parents about a student-planned walkout for Wednesday, January 14 to walk out of school and march down Marie Avenue to Robert Street. The student post about the walkout reads: “We are making a statement, if everybody does not feel safe at school then NO ONE DOES.” The school email warns that this is not school approved and “given the heightened tensions in our community, we are especially concerned about student safety with this plan.” The email acknowledges students’ right to protest but encourages alternative ways to protest. It also notes standard consequences, including unexcused absences and potentially missing sports or activities.
• Teacher detained in IGH: State Rep. Mary Frances Clardy is working with U.S. Rep. Angie Craig to get answers about an Inver Grove Heights teacher arrested by ICE and detained for 12 hours.

January 12:

• City Council: During the West St. Paul City Council meeting, about 40 people attended and a dozen spoke during citizen comments, unanimously opposing ICE. City officials responded, also overwhelmingly against ICE.
• Elected official: State Senator Sandy Pappas, who represents West St. Paul, shared a DFL immigration resource toolkit and posted:

“The unprecedented deployment of thousands of masked and armed ICE agents into our communities has caused real and lasting harm, leaving Renee Nicole Good dead and rapidly increasing numbers of Minnesotans injured and traumatized. Every day, our neighbors are having their rights violated by these ICE officials deployed in our city. This lawlessness cannot go on.”

January 11:

• School support: Garlough has a sign up to deliver groceries to the school for families in need. Heritage is coordinating shopping and accepting donations.
• Elected official: Carlo Franco, a St. Paul School Board member who is running for state senate to represent West St. Paul, posted about ICE detaining a U.S. citizen from Eritrea on her way to church on the West Side.
• Elected official: Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins posted to social media sharing stories of two people who were stopped by ICE: “Neither individual was doing anything suspicious. Both are U.S. citizens. Both were shaken, upset, and embarrassed.”
• Local incident: The owners of El Taquito Taco Shop posted to social media accusing ICE of racial profiling for stopping the 68-year-old owner of the restaurant, a U.S. citizen, and asking for ID.
• Estimated cost: Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins posted to social media speculating about the cost of ICE enforcement in Minnesota. Using conservative numbers he came up with a minimum of $786,000 per day.

January 10:

• Business closure: Grande Sunrise Mexican Restaurant, which just opened in West St. Paul last year, announced they were temporarily closing: “Our family and team are ok but the safety and well-being of every person who interacts with our business are our top priorities.”
• Business update: El Taquito Taco Shop posted to social media, thanking people for support but noting that despite more than 30 years in the community, they’re being hit hard by the current events and encouraging people support Latino businesses.

January 9:

• Business update: Local business owner Krystell Thiessen Escobar of Eco Chico posted a video asking if people have had enough and encouraging them to protest with their dollars by supporting local and immigrant-owned businesses.
• Local official: South St. Paul School Board Member Paul Cummings, who is running for state senate to represent West St. Paul, posted his support for South St. Paul’s statement about ICE:

“Our police department has worked for decades to build trust with our residents. ICE officials are conducting inhumane, sloppy and in some cases actions outside the scope of the law that does not reflect the standard of training and professionalism that our local police department has worked to achieve over many years.”

• Local offical: State Rep. Mary Frances Clardy, who represents West St. Paul, posted to social media, saying in part:

“This cannot be our new normal. Not in the United States of America. … The presence of ICE endangers us all. Whether it’s speeding down a one way the wrong way, abandoning children, kneeling on pregnant women, pepper-spraying babies, pushing and handcuffing educators and administrators, everyday living in our communities has been interrupted. Kids are missing out on critical educational milestones. Parents can’t work, which means they can’t pay their bills or put food on the table. Food shelves are drowning to stay afloat, to meet the needs of our impacted neighbors.”

• Business closure: Frutilandia ice cream shop announced they were temporarily closing.

January 8:

• School district: ISD 197 Superintendent Peter Olson-Skog sent an email to district families, saying in part: “We recognize that many immigrant families in our community are experiencing significant fear regarding potential deportation and family separation. These anxieties can deeply impact the safe and supportive learning environment we are committed to providing.” The email goes on to reiterate safety protocols, noting that schools cannot give ICE (or any agency) access to buildings, staff, or students without a judicial warrant, schools do not collect information about immigration status, and the law requires schools to educate all children regardless of immigration status.
• Elected official: Council Member Lisa Eng-Sarne posted a statement to social media in response to the killing of Renee Good, saying in part:

“If you think local officials should “stay in their lane” and have no right to comment on federally supported terror in our communities, feel free to move along from this post. No matter what we say on social media, it will never be enough, it won’t stop this terror, but what we can and will do is demonstrate that we are with our communities and their right to dissent from this madness and that we don’t need or want ICE here.”

• City response: In response to the killing of Renee Good, we ask the city to clarify their stance on police working with ICE.

January 7:

• Elected official: State Senator Matt Klein posted about the killing of Renee Good:

“I join Minnesotans in demanding that ICE leave our state immediately. You are murdering our neighbors and fostering chaos with your incompetence, cruelty, and recklessness. We love this state, and you are a poison in our midst. LEAVE NOW.”

• Local business: Calisota Boys Customs makes “ICE out of Minnesota” T-shirts available.
• Elected official: Council Member Robyn Gulley posted a statement to social media in response to the killing of Renee Good, saying in part:

“I am devastated for our community today. Our own elected federal government has sent thousands of armed agents to our city. They have kidnapped people as they are working, getting medical care, going to worship, and dropping kids off at school. These actions have created widespread fear and chaos.”

• Elected offical: State Rep. Maria Isa Perez-Vega, who represents West St. Paul, posted a statement to social media in response to the killing of Renee Good, saying in part:

“I am deeply saddened and angered, yet I emphasize the importance of maintaining peace and unity in the face of hatred. The ongoing terror and discrimination that our communities endure should not be normalized.”

December:

• December 23: West St. Paul man arrested for allegedly brandishing a gun at ICE agents. The story is disputed and the Dakota County attorney declines to press charges, though the city is pursuing misdemeanor charges.
• December 13: Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant is facing hard times and loss of business, citing fewer customers due to ICE activity.
• December 5: The City of West St. Paul posted a message to social media saying that city police do not (and cannot) enforce immigration law.

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(Photo used with permission)