Operation Metro Serge: Minneapolis Church Assists Undocumented Immigrants During ICE Raids

Reverend Sergio Amescoa received an emergency call from Minneapolis, where a young man jumped out of a third-floor window after hearing uniformed agents searching for undocumented immigrants in his building. The man, who was cleaning clothes in a laundry room, broke the window and fled, according to Amescoa. He later walked about one kilometre before neighbors provided him shelter. The injured man was barefoot, without a shirt, and wearing shorts in below-zero temperatures, knocking on doors and crying for help.

Amescoa, who has been receiving daily calls since early December, reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been conducting raids throughout Minnesota. The pastor explains that individuals are seeking assistance to locate family members, secure legal representation, or obtain basic necessities like food, milk, and diapers. He describes the situation as one of fear and desperation, with people being chased out of their apartments to dispose of garbage.

The Trump administration launched a nationwide campaign targeting undocumented migrants, with over 605,000 deportations reported under the initiative. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced plans for more than 2.5 million undocumented migrants to leave the country by 2025. In Minneapolis, the so-called “Metro Serge” operation has intensified efforts to arrest and deport irregular migrants, particularly those with criminal records.

A video circulated on social media shows a woman from Amescoa’s church kneeling before ICE agents, pleading not to take her husband. Another incident involved a man hiding inside a building for four hours, enduring sub-zero temperatures during a raid. These events highlight the human toll of the administration’s policies, as individuals are forced to flee their homes in search of safety.

Amescoa, a Mexican-born immigrant who became a U.S. citizen 24 years ago, founded a church that serves a predominantly Latinx community, offering bilingual prayers in English and Spanish. His congregation has become a refuge for those affected by ICE operations, reflecting the broader impact of the administration’s policies on local communities.

Minnesota, which has less than 1 percent of the estimated 14 million undocumented migrants in the U.S., has seen a significant increase in ICE activity. The state’s role in this campaign underscores the complex interplay between federal immigration policy and local communities. As the administration continues its efforts to deport irregular migrants, the human cost remains a pressing concern.

The situation in Minneapolis mirrors broader national tensions, with thousands of people protesting against the aggressive enforcement tactics. The stories of those fleeing raids and seeking refuge in churches and neighborhoods echo the biblical call to care for the vulnerable, as seen in Matthew 25:35, where Jesus emphasizes the importance of showing mercy to those in need.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Arabic)