UFCW Locals 663 and 1189 are continuing to protect immigrant members in Minnesota from ICE raids and other forms of intimidation.
UFCW Local 663 has been working to help the family of UFCW Local 663 grocery member, Ivan, after he and his son were detained by ICE agents. Ivan was sent to a facility in Texas, while his son, who is also a member of UFCW Local 663, was released. UFCW Local 663 coordinated with the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation’s Working Partnerships rapid‑response fund to help the son provide for his family while his father was away. Ivan was recently released from custody.
UFCW Local 1189, whose workers live in the area where Renee Good was killed, is also working to protect members by making sure they know their rights. According to UFCW Local 1189 President Adam Evanstad, ICE agents continue to have a significant presence in the area, and are following and taking photos of community members.
“Just because you’re not seeing violent conflict, does not mean there is not a significant impact on the members and the communities,” said Evenstad.
Both locals have provided members with “Know Your Rights” preparedness packets that were hand delivered to stores with resources that included emergency contacts, a list of necessary documents to have on hand, and free legal resources from trusted community partners. The locals also set up rapid response lines and a system of what to do if members are detained, including habeas petitions, character witnesses and notaries that would come to members’ houses.
“This is what it means to be a union, this solidarity,” said UFCW Local 663 President Rena Wong. “It should be the core of who we are– that none of us are alone.”
UFCW Local 663 and 1189 are encouraging other locals to support our immigrant members in Minnesota through these organizations: Working Partnerships and Monarca MN.
A video about Ivan and his family’s ordeal after he was sent to a Texas detention facility is available here.
You can access Local 663 and 1189’s “Know Your Rights” preparedness packet here.