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It’s been two months since the federal government began what it calls “Operation Metro Surge” in Minnesota. Besides spreading fear amongst immigrants and many documented instances of violence and racial profiling, the surge has led many Minnesotans to jump into action. 

The Immigrant Defense Network helped band together more than 100 organizations to assist struggling families and defend immigrants’ constitutional rights. In January, the network registered an average of 2,000 volunteers per week to train as constitutional observers. A constitutional observer is a trained community member who observes and documents federal law enforcement activity to help ensure constitutional rights are followed. 

Edwin Torres Desantiago, the Immigrant Defense Network manager, told MPR News in November that 2,500 people were trained as observers. He said the total now is nearly 30,000 trained observers in 77 out of 87 counties in Minnesota. 

“The scale is unimaginable,” Torres Desantiago said. “We have rapid response around the clock, seven days a week. We are actively responding to a case every six minutes across the state of Minnesota.”

Additionally, another 6,000 volunteers are registered to help deliver food, give at-risk families rides, go to court hearings and translate documents. Torres Desantiago said that to many staff and volunteers, their work feels like a nonstop sprint. 

“A lot of us are tired, but we know that in this moment we need to keep defending and protecting our neighbors.”

With an unclear end to a surge in immigration enforcement, the Immigrant Defense Network is now making changes to be able to continue it’s work for as long as necessary. 

“We are now expecting and creating the infrastructure that this is something we have to sustain for an unforeseeable future.”

Torres Desantiago said that even if the there was a sudden decrease in ICE agents in the state, his organization would still work around the clock for months to help with the ripple effect the operation has had on tens of thousands of Minnesotans. 

— Minnesota Now guest host Kelly Gordon and producer Ellen Finn

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The Immigrant Defense Network works with more than 100 organizations to help train constitutional observers. At the end of November, there were 2,500 trained observers. That number has soared as more Minnesotans look for ways to help during the immigration operation. 

Live, down to earth, unscripted interviews that aim to connect, inform and entertain. Real people share real stories with Nina Moini. It’s journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously and puts people first.

Nearly 30,000 Minnesotans trained as constitutional observers

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