A group of Somali mothers in Minneapolis has begun organizing tea distributions to counteract the increased presence of federal immigration enforcement officers in their neighbourhood, offering a gesture of community support amid heightened tensions.
The initiative, led by community organiser Nasro Hassen, involves handing out steaming cups of traditional ginger tea to residents and observers in the Cedar Riverside enclave during subfreezing temperatures. While the tea provides physical warmth, its primary purpose is to foster connection and solidarity in an area where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity has intensified. Hassen notes that neighbours have supported her community during ICE incidents, and the tea and sambusas offered in return represent a mutual aid tradition.
This grassroots effort has extended to memorial sites for two individuals killed in recent incidents involving federal agents: Renee Good and nurse Alex Pretti. Both deaths, occurring last month, have escalated local demands for ICE to withdraw from Minneapolis. Hassen, speaking as a mother, expressed profound sorrow for the victims, emphasizing the impact on children and families. “It broke our hearts to lose these precious people,” she stated.
Beyond the tea distributions, the group conducts its own neighbourhood patrols. Members take turns standing guard, using whistles to maintain vigilance. “We are everywhere,” Hassen said, underscoring their proactive stance on community safety.
The broader context includes intensified federal rhetoric targeting the Somali community. In recent months, U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated verbal attacks and threats against Somali immigrants, including critical remarks about the community and its political figures.
Minneapolis is home to the largest Somali population in the United States, with nearly 58% born in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The mothers’ actions highlight a localized response to national immigration enforcement policies, blending cultural tradition with direct community protection efforts amid ongoing federal operations and political discourse. Their dual role—providing hospitality and organising patrols—reflects a community actively shaping its own security landscape.
