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*Last updated: March 11, 2026
Operation PARRIS and the broader enforcement initiative known as Metro Surge have created widespread fear and economic hardship for refugee families across Minnesota since December 2025. While immigration enforcement activity has decreased in recent weeks, the emergency is not over. Many families remain afraid to leave their homes, even when they are legally allowed to be here, leading to urgent needs -- including access to food, emergency preparedness, accompaniment to essential appointments, and rent support.
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Alight’s Emergency Response
As of March 3, 2026, we have supported more than 300 refugee and immigrant families through:
- 138 grocery runs totaling ~$30,000 in support
- 25 safe rides to appointments
- 105 customized toy/activity boxes delivered to families to bring a little joy to more than 300 children
- $54,188 in emergency rent support, helping 33 families stay in their homes
- 379 new volunteers who served a total of 608 volunteer hours
- Coordinating with over 15 partner organizations to provide emergency legal services to refugees.
- Donors from 44 U.S. States and 4 Canadian provinces have generously supported Alight’s Emergency response fund
- Through the Minnesota Resettlement Network Services, Alight is serving as an Emergency Response Coordinator for all refugee-serving partners across the state and supporting the development of a playbook to share with other states
What is Operation PARRIS?
Operation PARRIS (Post-Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening) targets people in Minnesota with legal refugee status who have not yet obtained permanent residency (green cards).
A federal judge in Minnesota has issued a preliminary injunction blocking arrests of refugees in the state under this policy; it is not yet clear whether or when the administration may appeal.
A February 18 memo also signaled a new risk to refugees across the country who have been in the United States for more than one year but have not yet both applied for permanent residency and completed their green card interview.
For Refugees – Know Your Rights Resources:
The City of Minneapolis website shares resources to learn your immigration rights and responsibilities:
The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) is a global legal aid organization assisting refugees and displaced people:
https://support.iraplegalinfo.org/hc/en-us/sections/36811788279060-Know-Your-Rights-Information
A list of private immigration law firms in Minnesota is available at the following address: https://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/Legal_Help
Minnesota immigration self-help resources are available at the following address: https://www.lawhelpmn.org/self-help-library/immigration
