Life in Minnesota feels scary. Here’s how to feel safe.

For many, life in Minnesota isn’t so nice these days.

“Once again, Minneapolis finds itself at the epicenter of social injustice conversations around the country and the world,” said Lambers Fisher on his Diversity Dude podcast. Fisher is a licensed marriage and family therapist, award-winning author, and national speaker on the topic of multicultural awareness and diversity. Lately, he’s trying to help clients make sense of the unrest in Minnesota.

The state has a significant and escalating Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence, described as the largest federal immigration operation ever, leading to tension, protests, and now, death.

The morning of Jan. 7, Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis during a confrontation where she stopped to observe/protest an ICE operation. Good was attempting to drive away when she was shot three times. The death and resulting protests in Minnesota and all over the nation have people asking questions that do not have answers.

“One would expect only fraudsters, murderers, rapists, and gangsters would be affected by the ICE enforcement,” said Fisher. “The reality of the impact has stretched much further. People of every age, gender, ethnicity, profession, citizenship, criminal record, or lack thereof have found themselves wondering how ICE might change or possibly even end their lives.”

Fisher said the reality is frightening but encourages Minnesotans to empower themselves to cultivate emotional safety despite their fears. He suggests it can help to acknowledge these points when considering the recent events in Minnesota concerning the ICE presence.

1.      Everyone is at risk of being impacted by ICE

Fisher emphasized we can’t candy coat the truth and say everything is going to be ok. Recent behavior shows that undocumented criminals aren’t the only ones ICE is targeting. “Regarding citizenship, reports show more than 170 U.S. citizens have been deported by ICE,” Fisher explained. “Regarding criminal records, stats indicate almost 75% of people in ICE detention centers have no criminal record.”

2.      The lack of accountability contributes to fear and uncertainty.

Fisher says while investigations into the killing of Renee Good explore the motives and responsibilities of everyone involved, the community is finding itself torn between what their eyes see in the videos widely circulating from community members peacefully protesting, to the commentary and news stories from government officials who have concluded ICE agents were victims of domestic terrorism.

“Any effort to hold ICE agents accountable for their actions would be considered unpatriotic acts of terror,” added Fisher. “The message seems to be, don’t get in our way or you might be next, no matter who you are.”

3.      Emotional support is needed

Fisher said we can all provide emotional support to those around us, whether in conversations at home with our kids, at work, or in the larger community. “You may not be able to guarantee their safety from ICE agents around them, but you can validate the legitimacy of their concerns, including the injustice they are witnessing with their eyes. You can assure them that you will not attempt to gaslight them, that everything is fine.”

Fisher explained it can be helpful to participate in the healthy discussions happening among Minnesotans about their legal rights if they do encounter ICE agents. “You have the right not to speak or answer questions. You can deny entry into your home or deny a search of your belongings.”

Fisher added that the ultimate goal is to counter fear with facts. “When this time passes, I hope that we will come out of this with a sense of hope and emotional stability that we can build upon to make things stronger and better than they were before, for ourselves, our loved ones, and the community as a whole.”