‘It’s time to start doing something.’ Despite risks of violence, Minnesotans step up to take on ICE

(Corrects typo in first subheading)

By Heather Schlitz

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Fabiola, a single mother and U.S. citizen from Latin America, said she was heartbroken and horrified when she first learned that Renee Good had been fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

She later joined thousands of Minnesotans who have volunteered to follow ICE agents since Good’s killing, despite her fears for herself and her seven-year-old son, Asher.

“I’m scared, but I also know I have to take care of my people,” he said.

Activists say there has been an influx of new volunteers since Good’s killing by ICE agent Jonathan Ross, despite the potential for violence.

On Saturday, federal agents shot and killed a Minneapolis resident; This is the second since the Trump administration sent 3,000 immigration enforcement officials to the city.

Fabiola, who has lived in the USA for 20 years and owns a construction company, did not know Good at all. The mother of three was fatally shot when she stopped her car during an immigration enforcement operation, just a few blocks from Fabiola’s home.

DHS did not respond to requests for comment about the risks to monitors in Minnesota, but officials say federal agents respond with gunfire when they fear for their lives. DHS secretary Kristi Noem and other Trump administration officials described the protesters and observers as “anti-ICE” and “far-left” agitators.

WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME?

Fabiola and Asher now whistle when they see immigration agents on their way to school. He taught Asher how to recognize federal agents by their uniforms and had him memorize his grandparents’ phone numbers in case he was taken into custody.

Fabiola, who refused to share her last name for fear of retribution, started distributing food to people who were afraid to leave their homes. And he stops by Good’s makeshift memorial regularly.

“He has children, and his children no longer have a mother,” Fabiola said. “Where will my son go if something happens to me?”

Vice Mayor J.D. Vance said Good tried to hit Ross with his car during a visit to Minneapolis on Thursday. Video analysis of eyewitnesses by Reuters and other outlets shows Good’s wheels were not pointed at Ross and his legs were away from the vehicle when he shot him.

At least five organizations offer training on how to monitor ICE actions, alert immigrants to their presence, and document the use of force against detainees and protesters. Kate Wegener, an immigration attorney who led the training, said online training for one of those groups reached a maximum capacity of 1,000 within hours.

“We were afraid that attendance would decrease after his death, but the opposite happened,” he said.

The sessions often offer safety tips: stay at least six feet away from federal agents; Obey orders given by officers and keep your distance when driving behind agent convoys.

Some observers are acutely aware of the risks. Janet, who lives in a suburb of Minneapolis and declined to share her last name for fear of exposure, said she wrote letters to friends and family that would be opened if she were killed.

Minnesota officials at the state and local levels encouraged observers. Governor Tim Walz urged citizens to pull out their phones and document federal agents.

Observers, often identified by their fluorescent green vests and whistles around their necks, are now an increasingly common sight on busy roads and residential neighborhoods when heavily armed, masked, tactical-gear-clad federal agents are deployed.

The community response had some impact. Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino said Wednesday that the city presents a “challenging working environment” for law enforcement.

Organizers compared the level of participation to the increased activism following the police killing of George Floyd in 2020.

‘I WOKE UP FROM A KIND’

On a recent day, two new volunteers, a married couple, mounted their bikes near a busy intersection to spy on ICE agents. Snow accumulated on their jackets and frost clung to their eyelashes.

“When Renee Good was killed, I realized what was going on; I knew bad things were happening, but I didn’t realize how bad yet,” said Aaron, who is 41 and works in marketing. He refused to share his last name for fear of retribution. “And then when that happened it was like it was time to start doing something.”

Earlier that day, he said, he timed his six-mile run to cover neighborhoods where residents had reported seeing ice near schools.

Opposing immigration enforcement carries risks. Immigration monitors were tear gassed and arrested. State officials said Friday they were compiling data on arrests but that data was not immediately available.

‘WE MAKE THINGS MOVE’

For Patty O’Keefe, a 36-year-old nonprofit worker, these risks underscore the importance of monitors.

“If we weren’t really successful in making it harder or slowing down their operations, they wouldn’t be working so hard to intimidate us and use all those resources,” O’Keefe said.

Earlier this month, while he was pursuing ICE agents in his car, he said five federal agents broke his car window, handcuffed him and forced him into an unmarked SUV. He said ICE agents took his photo, insulted him and held him in a Minneapolis detention center for eight hours before he was released without charges.

DHS did not respond to a request for comment on O’Keefe’s account of the incident, and Reuters was not able to independently determine what happened.

He said he now struggles with anxiety but will continue to volunteer.

“I’m just stubborn and don’t want to give in to fear.”

Many residents speak highly of Good and describe him as an inspiration.

On the street where he was killed, dozens of people braved the dangerously cold weather to add piles of bouquets, stuffed animals and electric candles that glowed in the snow in a makeshift memorial.

“He gave his life for us,” Fabiola said. “His spirit is in heaven and is protecting us.”

(Reporting by Heather Schlitz in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Reporting by Emily Schmall in Chicago. Editing by Emily Schmall and Suzanne Goldenberg.)