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THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934

January 29 - February 4, 2026

Vol. 92

No. 26

Homeland Security cracks down on peaceful demonstrators

By Clint Combs Contributing Writer

wo local Black women, civil rights activist Nekima Levy Armstrong and organizer Satara Strong-Allen, were unknowingly under constant surveillance as federal agents circled an undisclosed hotel in the early hours of Tuesday, Jan. 20. Despite hotel staff asking the agents to leave, they lingered in the lobby. Around 3 a.m. the agents misidentified Strong-Allen as Armstrong and tackled her. Armstrong, who wanted to turn herself in, did not know where to go. “No one in Minnesota knew about the case because it was being handled in Washington, D.C., by political operatives,” said Armstrong’s attorney, Jordan Kushner. Eight people were charged, and at least four — Armstrong, St. Paul School Board Member Chauntyl Allen, activist William Kelly, and Monique Cullars Doty — were arrested on Jan. 22 in connection with a protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on social media with AI-generated photos. “This is not a legitimate prosecution. This is political persecution,” Kushner said. Armstrong, Allen and Kelly

Feds arrest Mpls activists for church protest

U.S. AG Bondi threatens “more will come’ By Izzy Canizares Contributing Writer

Marquise Armstrong, husband of civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, speaks outside the federal courthouse in St. Paul following her arrest, Jan. 22. Izzy Canizares/MSR were booked into Sherburne County Jail on Thursday night. A judge ordered their release Friday, calling the Justice Department’s evidence “simply speculative.” Civil rights activists called for St. Paul ICE Field Director David Easterwood to resign as

pastor of Cities Church during a press conference in downtown Minneapolis on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Easterwood did not appear when Armstrong, an ordained minister, arrived at the church with a dozen activists and two ■ See PROTEST on page 5

ICE agents snatching children from their schools By Izzy Canizares Contributing Writer

Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com

detention facility in Texas. “Another adult living in the home was outside and begged the agents to allow them to utrage over the care for the small child, but presence of Immithat request was refused,” gration and CusStenvik said the following day toms Enforcement during a press conference. (ICE) officers in Minneapolis Ramos’ detention sparked has intensified after multiple nationwide outrage, and he minors, including a five-yearis not the only minor taken old boy, were detained by into custody in recent weeks. ICE agents over the past two Stenvik said at least four addiweeks. tional students in her district As President Trump’s adhave been detained by ICE, ministration and the Desome reportedly taken directpartment of Homeland Sely from their schools. curity attempt to justify the “The onslaught of ICE activrecent detainments, commuity in our community is inducing trauma and taking a toll on our families, our staff, and our community members,” Stenvik told reporters Thursday. “The young boy Liam and his father, who were taken yesterday, have documentation. I saw it with my own eyes when I visited the home.” The response from families and educators across the Twin Cities metro area reflects a broader reckoning with the impact of ICE operations on children and schools. “I am angry, I am scared, and I am devastated by what we are doing to our babies,” said Amanda Otero, co-executive director of Take Action MinValley View Elementary School student Liam Conejo Ramos as nesota, at a press conference he is detained Tuesday, Jan. 20, by ICE agents earlier this month. “Places Ali Daniels/ courtesy of Columbia Heights school officials ■ See CHILDREN on page 5 nity members in Minnesota and across the country are condemning the actions and warning of the lasting harm being inflicted on children in Minneapolis. On Jan. 20, preschooler Liam Conejo Ramos was detained by ICE agents in the driveway of his Minneapolis home, allegedly used as “bait” to draw his family outside, according to Zena Stenvik, superintendent of the Columbia Heights Public Schools. The five-year-old and his father were taken into custody and quickly transferred to an ICE

inneapolis community leaders and residents rallied at the federal courthouse in downtown Minneapolis the morning of Jan. 22 in support of local activists arrested by the FBI for their alleged involvement in a St. Paul church protest that has drawn national attention. Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong and activist Chauntyll Allen were arrested by federal law enforcement earlier that morning and are currently being held in connection with a protest at Cities Church. The demonstration took place after it was revealed that the church’s pastor also serves as Minnesota’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director. Activist William Kelly was also arrested for his role in the protest but is being tried at a separate courthouse. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi acknowledged the arrests in a post on X, writing that “more will come.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also shared multiple photos of the three activists in custody saying they would be

Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong speaks to reporters as the Minneapolis City Council discusses a federal consent decree on Jan. 6, 2024. Armstrong was later arrested by federal agents following a protest at a St. Paul church. Ben Hovland/MPR News charged with “federal crimes” members. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly called for and asserting that “there is no First Amendment Armstrong’s release. “I’m 61 years old, and it right to obstruct someone from feels like everything is going practicing their religion.” The arrests prompted im- backward,” said community mediate backlash from elect- member Michael Palmer, a ed officials and community ■ See ARREST on page 5

ICE memo on warrantless home entry called ‘unlawful, morally repugnant’

By Jasmine McBride Editor

n internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo asserting that agents may enter private homes using only administrative warrants has alarmed civil rights attorneys, lawmakers, and immigrant advocates, who warn the guidance could violate long-standing constitutional protections and escalate fear ICE guidance asserting that agents may enter private homes in immigrant communities. The memo, dated May 12 without a judicial warrant has drawn constitutional objections Motion Law and signed by ICE Acting Di- from legal experts and immigrant advocates. rector Todd Lyons, directs officers that residential arrests District Judge Jeffrey Bryan specific judicial authorization. of people with final orders of wrote that agents “forcibly Advocacy groups and legal removal may proceed without entered … without consent aid organizations have long warrants signed by a judge, and without a judicial warrant,” advised immigrant communia sharp departure from tra- and that the arrest violated ties that they should refuse ditional Fourth Amendment the Fourth Amendment. entry to ICE agents who do practice. “This is a blatant constitu- not present a court-signed The implications of the tional violation,” said Gibson’s warrant. guidance are not theoretical. attorney, Marc Prokosch, after Fred Tsao, senior policy A Minneapolis federal judge the ruling in federal court de- counsel at the Illinois Coaliruled that immigration agents scribing how enforcement un- tion for Immigrant and Refuviolated a Liberian man’s con- folded in the Minneapolis raid. gee Rights, said it remains stitutional rights by forcibly The ICE guidance marks constitutionally troubling entering his home without a departure from decades that the memo appears to a judicial warrant and or- of law enforcement practice. assert authority for warrantdered his release. In that case, Traditionally, administrative less home entry. “The Fourth agents used only an adminis- warrants, known formally as Amendment protects everytrative warrant, signed by ICE Form I-205, authorize only one residing in the U.S. from officials rather than a judge, to an arrest and do not permit illegal searches and seizures, break down the door of the forcible entry into a private regardless of their status,” North Minneapolis home. U.S. residence without consent or ■ See MEMO on page 5