Decorah, IA – Immigrant rights organizer Mira Altobell-Resendez told participants in a packed January 22 event in Decorah that federal immigration enforcement has escalated into a campaign of terror against immigrant communities, urging residents to organize locally and resist what they called an ongoing federal occupation of U.S. cities.

Speaking at an event hosted by Decorah Community for Immigrant Rights (DCIR), Altobell-Resendez outlined years of community organizing in the Twin Cities and described recent immigration enforcement actions as violent, racially targeted and increasingly lethal. They framed the moment as a turning point, saying communities can no longer rely on elected officials for protection and must instead build collective power through protest, mutual aid, and direct action.

Altobell-Resendez, a member of Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) and Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), said immigration agents have used force against students, families, and the elderly, including detaining children outside schools and deploying tear gas in residential neighborhoods.

They recounted multiple incidents in Minneapolis in recent weeks, including the killing of Renee Good, who had been alerting neighbors to immigration enforcement activity, and the hospitalization of a child after a tear gas canister landed beneath a family’s vehicle during a demonstration. Altobell-Resendez said at least one person detained in Minnesota had died in federal custody after being transferred out of state before receiving an initial court hearing.

“These are not isolated incidents,” Altobell-Resendez explained, “this is what it looks like when the federal government unleashes violence on Black, brown, and Indigenous communities with impunity”.

They said immigration agents have detained U.S. citizens, indigenous people and documented immigrants alike, arguing that enforcement practices amount to racial profiling rather than lawful investigation. Altobell-Resendez also described federal pressure on tribal governments, saying authorities have sought to coerce tribes into violating treaty rights in exchange for the release of detained tribal members.

While detailing violence and repression, Altobell-Resendez emphasized what they called an equally powerful story of resistance. They pointed to mass mobilizations in Minneapolis, including a vigil attended by roughly 10,000 people after the death of Good and a march that drew an estimated 100,000 participants days later.

They credited decades of immigrant-led organizing for those turnouts, describing how Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, founded in 2006, has won concrete policy changes through sustained pressure rather than electoral appeals. Those victories include a separation ordinance limiting cooperation between local police and federal immigration agents, the creation of a city Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, and the expansion of driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status.

Altobell-Resendez rejected the idea that restraint or silence could protect communities, criticizing local and national leaders who condemned immigration enforcement only after U.S. citizens were affected. Altobell-Resendez argued that such responses reveal political self-interest, “They didn’t care when it was immigrants being targeted.”

Altobell-Resendez also described increased political repression against organizers, including FBI inquiries and arrests of activists in other states. They said such actions are meant to intimidate movements but have instead strengthened solidarity across cities through national networks such as Legalization for All .

Throughout the event, attendees asked how smaller communities like Decorah could prepare for similar enforcement actions. Altobell-Resendez urged local groups to study their own histories of resistance, build rapid-response networks, demand institutional plans from schools and workplaces, and prioritize trust over charity when supporting immigrant families.

The event concluded with organizers encouraging attendees to support a local campaign calling for a separation ordinance in Decorah and to participate in upcoming trainings and actions aimed at monitoring immigration enforcement and protecting neighbors.

Altobell-Resendez said the goal is not only to stop enforcement actions but to challenge the narrative that paints immigrants as criminals rather than as workers and community members. “This country runs on immigrant labor,” they said. “The truth is already here. We just have to be loud enough to make it impossible to ignore.”

#DecorahIA #IA #ImmigrantRights #ICE #DCIR #KillerICE #AlexPretti #FRSO

Decorah, IA – On January 4, 40 people rallied in Decorah, a small town in northeast Iowa, to demand no war on Venezuela. Decorah Community for Immigrant Rights (DCIR) and Iowa 50501 organized the protest after reports that Washington bombed Caracas and kidnapped President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores early morning on January 3.

Protesters lined the sidewalks of Water Street Park with signs like, “Stop U.S. war on Venezuela,” “U.S. out of Latin America” and “End U.S. imperialism!” while chanting “Trump wants war, Trump wants oil. Hands off Venezuelan soil!” and “When Venezuela is under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!”

Speakers echoed these condemnations. Joshua Ratel-Khan, a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) told the crowd, “We are here to say no to U.S. imperialism in Venezuela and no blood for oil.”

Dave Bushaw, an independent congressional candidate, added, “We’ve seen this playbook for 20 years. Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya. Different country, same result: chaos abroad, working Americans paying the price, and a handful of powerful interests walking away richer.”

A speaker from Decorah Community for Immigrant Rights, Gabriel Eide, stated, “The United States has a long history of destabilizing countries of Central and South America and then criminalizing the refugees who seek asylum in this country.” Eide went on to say, “Republicans and Democrats alike have failed to address the crisis in our country. We the people will check Donald Trump. We the people demand an end to the violence inflicted on our immigrant neighbors. We the people are powerful beyond our wildest imaginations.”

Organizers shared that they will continue to hold further actions against the Trump administration and encouraged attendees to get involved in Decorah Community for Immigrant Rights and Iowa 50501. Decorah made it clear that they do not support U.S. intervention in Venezuela and demand an end to U.S. imperialism.

#DecorahIA #IA #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #DCIR #FRSO

Decorah, IA – On Monday night, August 4, the Decorah City Council chambers was packed as residents demanded the city move forward with a proposed “separation ordinance” to limit cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The ordinance, drafted by immigrant rights advocates, would restrict the city from engaging in unnecessary collaboration with ICE. Supporters say it would help protect immigrant communities from harassment, racial profiling and federal overreach.

During public comments, speaker after speaker called on the council to take the first step by placing the proposal on an upcoming agenda for official discussion.

“I’m proud to be one of the many Decorah residents asking you to put the separation ordinance on a future agenda and commit to talking openly and officially,” stated immigrant rights organizer Joshua Ratel-Khan. “This issue deserves daylight. Our city will not be a tool of federal repression. We won’t hand over our time, our labor, our data, or our public dollars to help ICE terrorize our neighbors.”

Community members spoke about the fear spreading among immigrants due to growing anti-immigrant rhetoric and state and federal policies. They outlined the ordinance’s three main goals: reduce unnecessary cooperation with ICE, limit harmful data collection, and establish oversight and transparency.

Several pointed out that similar laws exist in over 200 cities and counties across the U.S., proving such policies are both legal and effective. Others stressed that the draft ordinance is a starting point, not a final product, and could be adapted to meet Decorah’s needs.

While a small number of speakers questioned the legality of certain provisions, they still affirmed their support for immigrants and opposition to discrimination.

Mayor Lorraine Borowski cut off public comment before all speakers could be heard, prompting Ratel-Khan to push for more time so residents’ perspectives could be fully aired. Borowski said there would likely be more opportunities for input in the future.

Because the ordinance was not listed on the August 4 meeting agenda, council members were barred from formal discussion. Still, some thanked residents for speaking out and encouraged continued engagement.

Whether the separation ordinance will be scheduled for future debate remains uncertain, but supporters made it clear they are organized and determined to keep fighting until the city takes action to protect immigrant communities.

#DecorahIA #IA #ImmigrantRights #DCIR #SanctuaryCity #SeparationOrdinance