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Supporting our Minnesota Community: Doing the doable amid Operation PARRIS

Geography
Global
USA
Date
January 14, 2026
Operation PARRIS has created increased fear and risk for many refugee families in the Minnesota community, leading to urgent needs — including access to food, critical paperwork preparation, and accompaniment to essential appointments. This page brings together essential resources, forms, and ways to either get support or give support.
Global
USA
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Donate here to support refugees in Minnesota

What is Operation PARRIS?

Operation PARRIS (Post-Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening) is targeting individuals with legal refugee status in Minnesota who have not yet obtained permanent residency (green cards). ‍

For Refugees – Apply for Emergency Support:

Alight is offering free emergency support to families with refugee, humanitarian parole, SIV, or asylum status.

Available services include:  

  • Grocery delivery
  • Creating an emergency plan in case of detention
  • Driving support and appointment companions

If you are eligible, please fill out a short intake form to get connected. An Alight staff member will contact you as soon as possible.

For Refugees – Know Your Rights Resources:

The City of Minneapolis website shares resources to learn your immigration rights and responsibilities:

https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/departments/ncr/immigrants-refugees/know-your-rights-and-resources/

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

‍

For Volunteers - Upcoming Opportunities:

There are currently 3 types of volunteer opportunities. Below is a short description on each. Please register on TimeCounts to be vetted as an Alight volunteer.

  • Paperwork Support Volunteer - Help refugee families who are at risk of immigration arrest prepare critical paperwork before detainment occurs. This role ensures families have legally valid plans in place so children are cared for, finances and housing can be managed, and attorneys can act if someone is taken into custody. This work is done in homes and requires the ability to handle sensitive, high-stakes information with care and confidentiality, as well as to offer comfort to families under immediate stress. Notaries are especially helpful.‍
  • Food Distribution Volunteer - Help refugee families who are afraid or unable to leave their homes access food and other basic necessities by purchasing and delivering groceries and essential items through a no-contact process.‍
  • Driving Support Volunteer - Help refugee individuals who are unable to safely or reliably travel on their own by accompanying them to essential appointments, work, and other critical destinations. A valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, appropriate insurance, and a clean driving record are required. The ability to comfort individuals under stress is also helpful.

TimeCounts Volunteer Registration Process:

1. Sign up to volunteer at https://timecounts.app/wearealight by clicking on “Join us!”
2. It will ask for your email address and will send a message to confirm it.
3. Click on “Join us” (yes, again) to fill out the profile info for Alight.
4. We’ll reach out with some light vetting documents.
5. Once you finish that, you may apply for the volunteer roles that interest you.
6. Once all requirements for a role are completed, including a short training, you can sign up for slots. (Roles that require transporting a customer require a license check, driving record check, and insurance proof.)

Contact Information:

  • Contact Alight: If you need assistance, please contact Alight’s staff member Jo Haugen joh@wearealight.org
  • Note: The information presented on this page should not be taken as legal advice and is informational. See a lawyer about your particular situation.

‍

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