Locals organizing fundraiser for Minnesotans impacted by ICE

Two local non-profits have come together for the second time to hold a peace building fundraiser in Steinbach this weekend for Minnesotans affected by Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

“I see Minnesota as our neighbors, and we’re concerned about our neighbors, so we just want to raise awareness and bring peace through art and bringing people together and raise a bit of money to help people harmed by ICE in Minnesota, specifically immigrant aid charities just because we’re very concerned that their human rights are being violated and they are being unfairly targeted and racially profiled,” said co-organizer T. Sheppard-Luangkhot, who is director of OPEN: Organization for Peace, Justice and Non-Violence, which has partnered with Marissa Wiebe’s Creative Uncommons: Artist Cooperative to put on the event.

Sheppard-Luangkhot and Wiebe held their first peace building event, the Queer Country Fair, in October last year. It was held in response to the cancelation of Steinbach Pride when threats of violence were sent to Pride organizers against attendees.

Both Sheppard-Luangkhot and Wiebe have friends who are Minnesotans, one of whom will be at The Melt the ICE Fundraiser: Sending Love to Minnesota event sharing her story. She is currently working on her permanent residency on her way to becoming a Canadian citizen.

U.S. President Donald Trump sent about 3,000 ICE officers into Minnesota in December 2025, most of which ended up in the Minneapolis-St Paul area. Operation Metro Surge detained hundreds of illegal immigrants. ICE agents are accused of racially profiling in their enforcement efforts, according to media reports. Tensions in the Twin Cities escalated between peaceful protestors and ICE agents resulting in the shooting of three people, two of whom died, mother of three Renee Good and ICU nurse Alex Pretti.

“There’s a lot of neighbors helping neighbors, as you know, down there, calling when they see ICE is coming, video recording, helping families who are persecuted reach immigrant aid services and NGOs and charities down there,” said Sheppard-Luangkhot in regards to how Minnesotans are dealing with ICE operations.

This month the American government reduced the number of agents, but wouldn’t say how many would be remaining, according to The Washington Post. The Post also reported that American federal judges have been inundated with cases of illegal immigrants being illegally detained indefinitely without due process. ICE has been defying court orders to release these migrants on bond. In January alone, more than 427 court challenges were filed in Minnesota against the detentions.

“As you know, I study extremism and violence locally and globally, and we see the impact of far-right violence locally as well as across the border in Minnesota, and we’re seeing the impact of far-right violence now with the invasion of Iran,” said Sheppard-Luangkhot, noting what is happening in the U.S. effects Canadians too.

Sheppard-Luangkhot said she is very supportive of Steinbach RCMP as they do a lot for the public, including being allies to the queer community.

“And you can imagine if they transformed into something like ICE, it would be very frightening for all of us,” she said.

For their fundraiser, Sheppard-Luangkhot and Wiebe were also inspired by the Norwegian red knit hats, symbolizing national unity and defiance, worn during the Second World War to protest the Nazis.

“So, we were inspired as well by (the) Norwegians resisting – and nonviolent resistance. So, yes, we’re inspired a little bit by the red hats that (were) being made. I’m hoping to get mine done in time,” she said.

The Melt the ICE Fundraiser: Sending Love to Minnesota will be held at the Pat Porter Active Living Centre on March 15 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $10. All the money raised will be going to the Immigrant Defense Network and SupportMinnesota.com.