Helping Young People Process & Respond to this Moment
A Resource for Mentors, Educators, Counselors, and Community Partners
Understanding What’s Happening
Current Situation in Minnesota
Operation Metro Surge, launched in December 2025, represents the largest immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history. More than 3,000 federal agents have been deployed to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area since early January 2026. This operation has fundamentally transformed daily life in the Twin Cities, creating a landscape of fear, uncertainty, and profound community disruption.
The operation has resulted in tragic loss of life: Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7, 2026. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the VA, was shot and killed by federal agents on January 24, 2026, while observing a protest and helping direct traffic. These deaths have sparked massive protests and a general strike across Minnesota.
Schools have shifted to remote learning across multiple districts. Families are afraid to leave their homes, with community members organizing to deliver groceries and essential supplies. Attendance at schools, workplaces, and community gatherings has plummeted. On January 31, 2025, the federal government rescinded its “sensitive locations” memo, meaning ICE now operates in schools, churches, and hospitals without restriction.
Beyond Minnesota: Lives Taken by Federal Immigration Agents
The violence in Minnesota is part of a broader national pattern. Since January 2025, there have been at least 30 shootings by immigration agents, resulting in 8 deaths. At least 5 of those shot were U.S. citizens. These deaths remind us that this crisis extends far beyond any single state. Each name represents a family forever changed, a community left mourning, and a call for accountability:
Note: 2025 was the deadliest year on record for deaths in ICE detention, with 32 deaths. 2026 is on pace to exceed that number.
How This Affects Young People
Even young people who are not directly at risk of deportation are affected by what is happening in their communities. The psychological weight of witnessing state violence against neighbors, the disruption of school and daily routines, and the pervasive atmosphere of fear all take a toll. Young people may experience:
Fear and anxiety about their own safety or the safety of family members and friends
Grief and loss if community members have been detained, deported, or killed
Anger and frustration at injustice and feeling powerless to stop it
Confusion about conflicting information and why this is happening
Disrupted learning from school closures and difficulty concentrating
A desire to act and make a difference in their community
Creating Safe Spaces for Conversations
Opening the Conversation
Begin by creating space for young people to share what they already know and how they are feeling. Avoid lecturing or providing too much information upfront. Instead, ask open-ended questions:
“What have you been hearing about what’s happening in our community?”
“How are you feeling about all of this?”
“What questions do you have?”
“Is there anything you want to talk about or anything that’s been on your mind?”
Age-Appropriate Approaches
Supporting Youth Agency and Action
Exploring Options Together
Rather than prescribing specific actions, help young people explore what feels right for them. Ask questions like:
“What feels important to you right now?”
“What do you wish you could do?”
“What are some ways you’ve seen other people respond?”
“What would help you feel like you’re making a difference?”
January 30th Nationwide Shutdown
A Menu of Possible Actions
Young people may choose from many different ways to respond. Share these options without pressure, and support whatever path they choose:
Direct Community Support
Helping deliver groceries or supplies to families afraid to leave home
Walking younger children to school or bus stops
Checking in on neighbors and community members
Helping share information about rights and resources
Community Building and Healing
Creating art, poetry, or music to process emotions
Organizing or participating in community gatherings and vigils
Starting or joining a student support group
Participating in cultural celebrations and community care events
Advocacy and Voice
Writing letters to elected officials
Speaking at school board or city council meetings
Using social media to share information and perspectives
Participating in the January 30th Nationwide Shutdown
Attending peaceful protests and demonstrations
Self-Care as Action
Taking breaks from news and social media
Spending time with supportive friends and family
Engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation
Maintaining physical health through rest, movement, and nutrition
Know Your Rights
Constitutional Rights
Everyone in the United States has constitutional rights, regardless of immigration status:
Right to remain silent - You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, your immigration status, or your citizenship
Right to refuse a search - Without a judicial warrant, you do not have to let ICE into your home
Right to an attorney - If detained, you have the right to speak with a lawyer
Right to education - Under Plyler v. Doe, all children have the right to attend public school regardless of immigration status
If ICE Comes to the Door
Do not open the door
Ask if they have a judicial warrant signed by a judge (ICE administrative warrants do not give them the right to enter)
If they slide a warrant under the door, check for a judge’s signature
You can say: “I do not consent to entry. Please slide any warrant under the door.”
Consider carrying a “Red Card” from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ilrc.org)
Family Emergency Plans
Families should have a plan in case a family member is detained. Young people can help their families prepare by:
Having emergency contact numbers memorized, not just saved in phones
Knowing who will care for children if parents are detained
Having copies of important documents in a safe place
Knowing which immigration attorney or legal aid organization to call
Recognizing and Responding to Trauma
Signs of Trauma in Young People
Trauma responses vary by age and individual. Watch for these signs:
Young children: Increased clinginess, regression (bedwetting, thumb-sucking), sleep problems, repetitive play about the events, separation anxiety
School-age children: Withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, physical complaints (headaches, stomachaches), changes in academic performance, irritability
Teens: Depression, anxiety, risk-taking behavior, social isolation, changes in sleep or eating, substance use, taking on adult responsibilities (parentification)
Trauma-Informed Responses
Create safety: Physical and emotional safety is the foundation of healing
Be patient: Trauma responses take time to process and may come in waves
Avoid false reassurance: Don’t promise that everything will be okay if you can’t guarantee it
Connect to support: Help young people access counseling or peer support
Emphasize strengths: Remind young people of their resilience and the support around them
Self-Care for Adults
You cannot pour from an empty cup. Supporting young people through crisis requires attending to your own well-being.
Signs You May Need Support
Difficulty sleeping or constant exhaustion
Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or numb
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Increased irritability or anger
Physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, or digestive issues
Sustainability Strategies
Set boundaries with news and social media: Stay informed without doom-scrolling
Connect with other adults: Share the emotional load with colleagues, friends, and community
Maintain routines: Regular sleep, meals, and activities provide stability
Seek professional support: Therapists and counselors can help process secondary trauma
Key Resources
Know Your Rights
Immigrant Legal Resource Center: ilrc.org/know-your-rights - Red Cards and rights information
National Immigration Law Center: nilc.org
Immigrant Defense Project: immigrantdefenseproject.org
Minnesota Attorney General: ag.state.mn.us - Know Your Rights with ICE guide
For Educators
NEA: nea.org - Safe Zones templates, trauma-informed schools guidance
Colorín Colorado: colorincolorado.org - Resources for educators of immigrant students
Education Minnesota: educationminnesota.org - Local educator resources
Trauma and Mental Health
National Child Traumatic Stress Network: nctsn.org
Sesame Street in Communities: sesamestreetincommunities.org - Trauma resources for young children
AmazeWorks: amazeworks.org - Anti-bias education resources
For Young Children
Woke Kindergarten: wokekindergarten.org - Abolitionist early learning resources, “Woke Read Alouds,” and liberatory vocabulary for young children. Offers age-appropriate materials for discussing justice, safety, and community care.
For Families
Children Thrive Action Network - “Staying Whole: A Love Letter to Immigrant Parents”: childrenthriveaction.org - A compassionate guide created in partnership with National Parents Union, Little Justice Leaders, and United Parent Leaders Action Network. Shaped by the experiences of families impacted by immigration enforcement, this resource invites parents to reflect on their mental health, guides them through safety planning, and offers guidance on talking to and supporting children. Available in English and Spanish.
Youth Organizing
Advocates for Youth: advocatesforyouth.org - Youth Activist Toolkit
iCivics: icivics.org - Civic education and engagement
Generation Citizen: generationcitizen.org - Action civics
National Shutdown: nationalshutdown.org - Information about the January 30th nationwide action
