Rural Minnesota community helps Haitian, Latino immigrants
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At just under 4,000 residents, what Long Prairie lacks in size it makes up for in diversity. And many community members consider it the fabric that binds them together. But recent changes in immigration policies mean that fabric is in danger of being torn at the seams.
Long Prairie is located about 60 miles northwest of St. Cloud. Over the last several decades it has become home to an increasingly diverse population, from Haitians to Latinos. About 80 Haitians were recently laid off from their jobs at the local meat packing plant, American Foods Group, after having their work visas taken away following a Trump administration decision.
The U.S. beef supply is also at historic lows which is affecting worker demand. Adding to the layoff dilemma, 300 Haitian immigrants are now in hiding after changes to their immigration status, leaving many of them worried about being taken into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
In response to the immigration policy shifts, several local organizations banded together to hold a civic fair downtown at Mi Pueblito Market and Restaurant. One of the attendees was a Haitian immigrant who would give only his first name, Pierre, out of fear of being deported.
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Pierre came to the U.S. in 2024 and used to work at the beef packing plant. Through an interpreter, Pierre said the immigration change comes with an added fee to update their cases – which many can't afford.
“Let's say he gets detained by ICE. What he would do, of course, he would like to represent himself with legal help at the courthouse,” the interpreter, Elizabeth Wood, said. “And talk about why this president wants us to get [[sent]] back home where there's so much violence, we're getting killed.”
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haiti and Syria, after the administration said the countries are now safe for immigrants to return to.
“My concern is always like, why? Why does it have to be like this?” Pierre said.
Pierre said he would like to see political leaders make exceptions that would make staying in the country easier.
One of the civic fair's organizers was Del Moen, a Wadena pastor who wanted to make sure eligible residents registered to vote. He served in the Lutheran church for 40 years, before beginning outreach work with immigrant communities.
"Right now is a critical time, and if you aren't registered or if you don't know when the elections are, you'll miss out,” Moen said.
Moen, who has also been assisting Haitian families living in Long Prairie, said 33 people registered during the civic fair. Most were first-time voters.
For those who aren’t eligible to vote, the civic fair connected them with resources for medical, food or other assistance.
“What we’re hoping to see happen is more of the immigrant community begin thinking about running for office,” Moen said. “That’s where the power is.”
A man from Mexico, who asked MPR News not to use his last name, has been living in the country illegally since 2000. Jason is now married and has two children who are American citizens. Jason came to the civic fair so his son could register to vote.
"He doesn't want to see his dad taken away. I know he's 18 years old. Still, he needs me. Even my daughter, 23 years old, she still needs me too. They don't want to get separated,” Jason said. “These kind of events, they're teaching the good things that they can do to keep the families together."
Jason said he started picking strawberries in Mexico when he was 7, and he eventually came to the U.S. chasing the American dream of a better life.
"There is people that they don't want us here, but there's the other side that they love us here too,” he said. “So you can see two two things on it: hate and love. But always, you know, love [will] always beat the hate."
One community member attended the event to support immigrant workers. Luan Thomas-Brunkhorst is the director of the Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Authority. She said most of the downtown Latino-owned businesses are chamber members.
"If you are civically aware of what's going on in your town, then you promote the livability of the community,” Thomas-Brunkhorst said. “In our town, we have a variety of newcomers. The Latino population is very large. In the high school and elementary school, it's over 50 percent. And we have a large Haitian population, one of the largest in Minnesota."
A team of immigration attorneys and interpreters will soon work with the Haitian immigrants to get their legal affairs in order, including helping them decide who will care for their children if they are deported.
