Neighbors in Minneapolis have organized a volunteer network to protect immigrant families amid intensified ICE activity that culminated in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. Jennifer Arnold coordinated volunteers to escort children to bus stops, drive students to school and "adopt" families for holiday grocery deliveries, growing from about a dozen children in mid-December to roughly 30. The city has offered remote learning through mid-February, while residents use whistles to warn of ICE activity; educators warn of widespread trauma among children.
Minneapolis Neighbors Mobilize To Protect Immigrant Families After Fatal ICE Operation
Neighbors are banding together to protect one another from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in the wake of a fatal shooting by a federal agent (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU)(CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/AFP)
When Jennifer Arnold learned late last year that a neighbor in Minneapolis had been detained by immigration authorities, she reached out to help — and soon became a local coordinator connecting volunteers to support immigrant families amid intensified enforcement that recently resulted in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good.
Neighborhood Action
Arnold initially helped a few frightened families who felt it was unsafe to leave their homes. She noticed a nearby school bus stop that normally had about 20 children waiting each morning had shrunk to roughly 10. Concerned that children might fall behind in class, she asked neighbors if they could accompany or drive children to the bus stop and school.
Growing Volunteer Network
Volunteers responded quickly. Arnold began by helping a dozen children in the second week of December; the following week that number rose to 18 and soon reached about 30 children on her list. Parents, neighbors and friends signed up to walk children to the bus stop or drive them to and from school so they could continue attending classes safely.
Adopting Families And Delivering Aid
As schools closed for the holidays, Arnold organized volunteers to "adopt" families and deliver groceries. Teams shopped for and brought bags of food to households before Christmas and before New Year's, and recipients said the support prevented children from going hungry during a particularly vulnerable time.
Escalation And Community Vigilance
The situation escalated when masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted street operations that culminated in the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good. That incident prompted more volunteers to sign up. Neighbors have also adopted simple alert tactics, using whistles to warn one another when agents are nearby. Education union leader Natasha Dockter says she now carries a whistle constantly and keeps spares to hand out.
Trauma And Institutional Response
Community members and educators warn that children are suffering trauma: some have lost family members, are terrified to leave home and are struggling to process the violence in their neighborhoods. In response, Minneapolis announced remote learning through mid-February for students who need that option, aiming to reduce families' fears and keep children engaged in school.
Residents describe the grassroots effort as an expression of community resilience — a coordinated, practical response to keep children safe, provide basic needs and offer solidarity to families under threat.
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