India Association of Minnesota

Special Edition

Know Your Rights & Community Safety

Statement of Solidarity with the Asian Indian Community

During Tumultuous Times

The India Association of Minnesota (IAM) reaffirms its commitment to the safety, dignity, and constitutional rights of the Asian Indian community and all Minnesotans.

In recent weeks, rising incidents of hostility, intimidation, and discrimination targeting Asians, Asian Indians, immigrants, and communities of color have heightened fear and uncertainty. Reports of individuals being questioned or treated with suspicion based on appearance, language, or perceived national origin raise serious concerns about racial profiling and erosion of fundamental constitutional protections.

Minnesota’s Asian Indian community - citizens and immigrants alike - has long contributed to the state’s cultural, civic, and economic strength. No one should be made to feel unsafe or unwelcome because of their ethnicity or how they look. Actions that undermine dignity, equal protection, and trust in public institutions harm not only affected communities, but society as a whole.

IAM stands firmly against hate and discrimination in all forms. We call for fairness, transparency, and respect for constitutional rights, and we remain committed to supporting our community through education, solidarity, and lawful civic engagement.

We are resilient, united, and steadfast in our belief that Minnesota must remain a place where all people can live with safety, dignity, and belonging.

Community Sessions held by IAM

Community Briefing (Online meeting on Jan 23, 2026)

At this session, attended by 150+ community members, IAM introduced the Community Safety Toolkit and provided the Know Your Rights translation to ensure all community members have access to critical safety information in their preferred language.

To better understand the needs and concerns of our community, an online survey was launched, supplemented by an offline survey link. Based on the combined results from both surveys, the following key findings were identified:



Key Survey Highlights:

• Safety Concerns: >88% of respondents reported feeling unsafe in their daily lives, specifically when going to work, sending children to school, or driving in the streets.
• ICE Presence: The community expressed significant concern regarding ICE presence in public locations like hospitals, libraries, places of worship, and grocery stores.
• Preparedness Gap: A staggering 85% of respondents indicated they do not feel prepared or equipped to handle a potential encounter with ICE.
• Summary of Top Issues: Qualitative feedback highlighted worries regarding the aggressive use of force, the potential for detainment due to paperwork misunderstandings, and the overall well-being and trauma inflicted on families.

Resources:

• Community Safety Toolkit: We have created 9 different scenarios tailored to your specific situation. These guides provide clear, actionable steps on how to handle interactions with law enforcement and federal agents. Scenarios include:
• International Students, Lawful Permanent Residents, Immigrant Workers, U.S. Citizens, Business Owners, Refugees, U & T Visa Holders, U.S. Visitor Visa and Asylum Seekers Guide
• View the Full Downloadable Community Safety Toolkit

Community Chat with Plymouth City Officials (Jan 26, 2026)

This session, attended by - 150 community members, served as an open dialogue between the community and key city leaders, including Mayor Jeff Woshe and Police Chief Erik Fadden. The goal was to provide a platform for residents to express their fears directly to local authorities and receive guidance on navigating current safety challenges.

Key Messages & Themes:

• Verification of Authority: Chief Fadden emphasized that residents have the right to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be an official. If you are unsure of someone's credentials, you can contact the local police department to confirm their legitimacy.
• Commitment to Safety: The primary focus for the City of Plymouth remains the safety and well-being of all its residents during these unprecedented times.
• Police Support and Escalation: The local police are tracking community concerns and reporting issues to higher levels of leadership. It was noted that concerns raised by state law enforcement have already led to federal agencies sending certain out-of-state teams back to their home states.
• Protecting Vulnerable Spaces: Officials expressed a cautious approach regarding law enforcement interactions at sensitive locations like daycares and schools. 
• Legal Recourse: If you believe your rights have been violated during an encounter, officials recommend documenting the interaction and consulting with legal counsel to determine if any laws were broken.

Resources:

• Read the FAQs from our discussion with the Plymouth City Officials
• Official Communication: The City of Plymouth has posted a formal statement and a dedicated FAQ section on their website to address common safety questions.

Know Your Rights: Session with Immigration Attorneys (Jan 28, 2026)

This session featured expert guidance from Attorneys who volunteered their time to help our community navigate the current immigration and law enforcement landscape. The session was attended by over 200 community members. The discussion focused on empowering individuals with practical legal knowledge to ensure everyone, regardless of their immigration status, is prepared for potential encounters with federal agents.

Key Messages & Strategies:

• Constitutional Protections for All: The attorneys clarified that the First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments apply to everyone on U.S. soil, providing protections against unreasonable searches, the right to remain silent, and the right to due process.
• Distinguishing Between Warrants: A critical takeaway was the difference between a Judicial Warrant (signed by a judge and allowing entry) and an Administrative Warrant (a directive from ICE that does not grant legal authority to enter your home without consent).
• Handling Home Encounters: If agents knock, the legal advice is to keep the door closed and ask them to pass any warrant under the door for inspection. You are not required to let them in or answer questions without a lawyer present.
• Document Everything: If an interaction occurs, residents are encouraged to immediately write down the time, the names or descriptions of the officers, and the nature of the conversation to provide an accurate record for legal counsel.

Resources:

• Presentation Materials: The full slide deck from this session, which includes detailed guides on the amendments and practical safety tips, is now available for download. Access the Presentation Slides

• Missed the session, watch the video here

Guidance from the Consulate General of India (CGI) Chicago

In our ongoing commitment to keeping the community safe and informed, IAM has been in direct communication with the Consulate General of India in Chicago. In response to recent concerns regarding federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, IAM reached out to the Consulate to clarify the rights and protections available to Indian nationals. Please check the Resources below for the official guidance provided by the Consulate to help Indian passport holders, students and professionals navigate emergency situations and assert their consular rights.

Resources:

• FAQ document is available here.

Community Safety & Rights Toolkit (2026)

IAM has consolidated our 9-part immigration guide into a single, printable PDF for your convenience. Please Click Here to download and share these resources with your family.

For more information please go to IAM Website

IAM Membership

India Association of Minnesota invites you to become a sustaining member of the organization. As the Indian population in Minnesota increases, it is more important than ever that the community be involved in the activities of IAM as it represents our common interests.

Stay Connected with IAM

Visit the IAM Website IAM Facebook Instagram@iamnorg

IAM is on X (twitter) too!