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Live, down to earth, unscripted interviews that aim to connect, inform and entertain. Real people share real stories with MPR News host Nina Moini. It’s journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously and puts people first.
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Lawyers sued for access to the Whipple Federal Building, where those detained by ICE are being held — and a judge allowed them in. What they learned about the conditions inside. Plus, the case of a teen girl who was detained at a hotel, alone, with ICE agents. Fraud is still a focus for lawmakers in D.C. A University of Minnesota professor who testified on the topic in support of immigrant communities in the state details why he decided to speak out.And a ProPublica investigation takes us inside the Dilley detention center in Texas, where some Minnesotans have been sent after being detained.Then, we launch a new series featuring the voices of Minnesotans who have been in hiding as a result of the federal surge. Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Porcelain” by Lucia Sarmiento.
A family detention center in Dilley, Texas, has been under a spotlight since 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos from Columbia Heights, and his father were sent there last month after being detained by federal ICE agents. It’s believed several other Minnesota children and their families have been sent there as well. Detention centers have been difficult to access during the second Trump administration. But a ProPublica reporter was able to go inside and speak to several children. Reporter Mica Rosenberg shared more about her story, “The Children of Dilley” on Minnesota Now.
New court filings give an inside look at the conditions inside the Whipple federal building, where many ICE detainees are being held in Minnesota. Lawyers from the non profit organization, Advocates for Human Rights, visited the facility early Monday after a federal judge ordered the Department of Homeland Security to let them inside. In a lawsuit, the attorneys allege that DHS is not allowing detainees to have access to legal counsel. Reporter Matt Sepic has been following this story and joined Minnesota Now.
A family detention center in Dilley, Texas, has been under a spotlight since 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos from Columbia Heights, and his father were sent there last month after being detained by federal ICE agents. It’s believed several other Minnesota children and their families have been sent there as well. Detention centers have been difficult to access during the second Trump administration. But a ProPublica reporter was able to go inside and speak to several children. Reporter Mica Rosenberg shared more about her story, “The Children of Dilley” on Minnesota Now.
A subcommittee of the U.S. Senate judiciary committee held a hearing Tuesday titled “Somali Fraud in Minnesota – The Tip of the Iceberg.”It’s likely a reference to a former federal prosecutor’s assessment that there was widespread fraud in state programs. President Donald Trump has also attacked the state’s Somali communities with a series of sweeping and racist comments, using fraud as the reason for a surge of immigration agents in Minnesota. University of Minnesota Professor Eric Schwartz spoke out about the impact of the surge on immigrants in Tuesday’s hearing and spoke with host Nina Moini about why he decided to do so.
Gov. Tim Walz says he spoke Tuesday with Trump administration leaders, and he believes an end to the surge of federal agents in the state could be days away. We'll have an update. Plus, details from a U.S. House committee hearing over ICE and Border Patrol actions in Minnesota.Every day, volunteers wait outside the Whipple Federal Building with phones and warm layers for people being released from detention. We checked in with the group's founder. We have an update on 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his family, who are back together but still living in uncertainty. Twin Cities chef Ann Ahmed is back from taking her employees to visit her home country of Laos. We heard about her trip. Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Blood Moon” by Poliça and our Song of the day was “Fear Met Me” by LaSonya Natividad.
When you go to one of Chef Ann Ahmed’s restaurants, you are immersed in southeast Asian cuisine. Chef Ann is Laotian-American, and her three restaurants in the Twin Cities reflect her roots. Now, she’s helping her employees understand the culture and cuisine she grew up with by guiding them on a trip to Laos. Monty Luthongxay is a server at Chef Ahmed’s restaurant Khaluna and joined her on the trip. Both Luthongxay and Ahmed joined MPR News host Nina Moini for a conversation about visiting Laos.
Thousands of Minnesotans have plugged into opportunities to help their community with food, legal help, rent help, and more as the immigration operation in the state continues. One group, Haven Watch, has been running for just a few weeks, supporting people released from detention at the Henry Whipple Federal Building. Natalie Ehret is the founder of Haven Watch. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the outpouring of support for the organization and to share what she’s seen on the ground outside of the Henry Whipple Federal Building.
Members of Congress questioned the leaders of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tuesday. MPR News immigration reporter Sarah Thamer listened in for details about the now two-month-long surge of agents in Minnesota and joined MPR News host Nina Moini for an update.
Duluth’s Olympic curling stars Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin earned a silver medal in Italy Tuesday. It was their mixed-doubles debut for Team USA. They took home the United States’ first medal in the event.MPR News reporter Estelle Timar-Wilcox was at a watch party at the St. Paul Curling Club during their competition, and she joined MPR News host Nina Moini with the details.
According to border czar Tom Homan, 700 federal immigration agents have reportedly been ordered to leave Minnesota. Minneapolis Council member Jason Chavez shared whether that move has made any difference on the ground. The federal government is also telling Minnesotans to stop impeding ICE operations. More than 100 have been arrested for allegedly doing so. But for some, the charges don't stick. We took a closer look at what impeding actually means under the law.Plus, a new grant aims to support struggling restaurants in Minnesota and we heard more about how Bad Bunny's half time show was a moment of pride for Latino Minnesotans.Also, the Vikings are waking up with regret this morning. Their former quarterback now has a Super Bowl ring, one year after leaving Minnesota.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “People” by Libianca and our Song of the Day was “Death of the Party” by Space Monkey Mafia.
Border czar Tom Homan has said he'll eventually reduce the number of federal immigration officers in the state from 2,000 to about 150, but he says that depends on whether members of the public stop what he describes as interfering with agents work. Homan did not define what actions he views as interfering. But MPR News has reported, federal agents regularly tell people who are recording or objecting to their activities to stop impeding them.Homan said in the past month, at least 158 of these interactions have led to arrests. 85 people have been charged in federal court.Minneapolis attorney Bruce Nestor is representing several people accused of impeding or assaulting ICE or Border Patrol officers. He says citizens are being charged with felonies and are being forced to turn themselves in, give DNA samples and attend hearings. “Yet what we've seen in the past few days is that all of these charges are now being reduced to misdemeanors by the prosecutors by the United States Attorney's Office,” said Nestor. Minnesota Now host Nina Moini spoke to University of St. Thomas law professor Rachel Moran about what the law says about impeding federal officers.
The Seattle Seahawks are this year’s Super Bowl champions after beating the New England Patriots 29-13. Leading the way for the Seahawks was none other than former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, who left only a year ago. Minnesota Now sports contributors, Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson, spoke more about the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics and more.
It's been more than two months since a surge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrived in Minnesota. And while Department of Homeland Security said that it removed about 700 agents from the 3,000 that were in the state last week, some Minneapolis City Council members said they have seen no change in ICE action on the ground. One of those city council members is Jason Chavez, who spoke with host Nina Moini about what he’s seeing and hearing.
The presence of federal immigration agents in Minnesota has upended the restaurant industry. Some restaurants have been forced to close their doors, because immigrant staff are too scared to go to work. And some are not getting as much business due to people being afraid to leave their homes. So the Minneapolis Foundation and food journalist Stephanie March have created The Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund, to help support the industry. March joined Minnesota Now to talk about the challenges facing the restaurant industry.
It’s a big weekend for sports; Super Bowl 60 is this Sunday in the San Francisco Bay Area. At the same time, in Italy, the Winter Olympics are kicking off, with dozens of Minnesotans competing. Back at home, Minnesota men’s basketball teams have taken two wins. MPR News host Kelly Gordon spoke with sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson to talk about more about it.
Border Czar Tom Homan said more agents will leave if county jails cooperate. We heard from Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt who said she is doing her part. Plus, hear what Minnesotans think about the announcement of 700 ICE agents leaving the state. The Minneapolis City Council is voting on whether the city will support funding rental assistance for people whose income has been hurt by ICE presence in the state. We get more on that.A Somali American artist will share her perspective on making art during this tumultuous time in Minnesota. And our sports contributors are back — with a Minnesota perspective on the upcoming Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
For the first time, Hennepin County sheriff Dawanna Witt spoke about her cooperation with ICE. Sheriff Witt said she has had “healthy” conversations with Tom Homan, the White House official in charge of the Minnesota immigration enforcement surge. Homan has said that federal officials could reduce the number of agents if jails, like Hennepin County, would cooperate and hand over inmates.NPR’s Meg Anderson spoke with Sheriff Witt about her cooperation and abiding by state law.
This week is five years since the military in Myanmar seized control in a coup that forced many in the country to flee political repression and violence. Some came to Minnesota to join a large diaspora that was already here. More than 20 thousand people from Myanmar live in the state, which is home to the United States’ largest population of Karen people, an ethnic minority group from Myanmar. The Karen community includes U.S. citizens, refugees and asylum seekers. Recently, federal immigration activities have caused fear and uncertainty among Karen people in Minnesota. That includes the fear of being sent back to Myanmar. MPR News host Kelly Gordon talked with two leaders of The Urban Village, a St. Paul nonprofit that works with youth in the Myanmar diaspora. Jesse Phenow is the group’s co-director and Eh Ler Tha is director of special projects and media.
The Minneapolis City Council passed a proposal to provide rental assistance to people impacted by the surge of federal agents. Proponents say too many residents face eviction and other hardships because they feel like they can’t leave their homes and work their jobs. Cari Spencer watched the council’s discussion about the proposal and joined MPR News guest host Kelly Gordon.
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