March 2026: Community Support Surges Amid Shifting National Policies
CRIS Executive Director Angie Plummer with Mozart’s Owner Anand Saha at our Febuary “Neighbors United” event
In early January, we found ourselves on high alert as we learned of the official announcement of Operation PARRIS (“Post-Admission Reverification and Integrity Strengthening”) being carried out in Minnesota—this is an immigration enforcement initiative targeting refugees who had not yet been granted Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status. The operation included the arrest and transfer to detention facilities in Texas of over 100 refugees taken from their homes. Some have been released from detention in Texas, without their identity documents and with no way to get home to Minnesota. A class action lawsuit (only applicable to refugees in Minnesota) was filed in federal court against the administration to halt this egregious practice. As of this writing, a temporary restraining order is in effect, halting these arrests.
On February 18, a new government issued memo confirmed one of our biggest fears: the Trump administration plans to expand Operation PARRIS–style enforcement to refugees beyond Minnesota. The memo outlined plans to arrest and re-screen refugees who have been in the United States for at least one year but who have not yet received green cards. The memo directs the Department of Homeland Security to require these individuals to “return to custody” for additional inspection. It states that those who do not comply may be arrested and detained. It also signals that some could face termination of refugee status and possible removal from the country.
This policy is a significant departure from decades of bipartisan support for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Historically, refugees admitted lawfully under USRAP—which has the most extensive vetting processes for any travelers to the United States—have been allowed to remain safely in refugee status while applying for lawful permanent residence (“green card”) after one year of physical presence. Complicating matters further, USCIS implemented a policy change last November that halted the processing of all green card applications submitted by refugees.
These government actions have created substantial uncertainty for refugee families, who arrived—with permission and invitation from our government—through a rigorous legal process and who were promised the opportunity to rebuild their lives here. This includes hundreds of families that the CRIS community has welcomed over the past few years. We are closely monitoring the court challenges, and we hope these policies will be stopped. But the message of unwelcome is unmistakable: even those who followed every legal pathway to safety may now feel uncertainty about their future. For the individuals and families we serve, that uncertainty carries real emotional weight. And the act of arresting refugees and transferring them to a far-off detention center is unconscionable.
Amidst these new levels of uncertainty, the CRIS team is stepping into action to enhance support for those we serve. We have enacted certain safety measures, changed some aspects of our service delivery model, and continue to evaluate circumstances on the ground. We have worked to ensure food security for those who need it and to ensure each family's preparedness in case of ICE encounters.
Our incredible local community has stepped into action, too. Over the last several weeks, we’ve seen a surge of creative ways businesses and groups are showing support for CRIS’ mission. Highlighting just a few:
Community groups like a “beers and board games” club are donating a quarter’s earnings to help newly arrived neighbors.
Small businesses and shops are giving back in unique ways—beauty salons donating a portion of sales, a bakery crafting a special cookie, a donut shop donating proceeds, retail stores contributing proceeds, and a local florist supporting through Valentine’s Day sales.
Artists and performers are using their artistry—a tattoo artist sharing proceeds from select designs, a photographer hosting mini-sessions, a local print press hand-printing custom welcome posters, an improv theatre staging multiple benefit shows, and local musicians dedicating concerts to raise funds.
Mozart’s generously donated their event space, staff, food, and beverages—on February 12th, we enjoyed an evening of hope and action with 200+ CRIS friends, graciously hosted by Mozart’s.
We are so thankful for all of this creative show of solidarity and support. Through it, we are reminded that welcome is more than just policy; it’s woven into the fabric of our community.