Immigration Crisis response
In the midst of ICE enforcement and trauma unfolding in our neighborhood, Park Avenue Church stands for dignity, safety, and belonging for all. Below you will find our official statements, news articles on what has transpired, and how you can help. For press inquiries, please email communications@parkavechurch.org
How To Help & Connect
A designated fund of Park Avenue United Methodist Church established to respond to emerging needs of our community and congregation as a result of current immigration policies and enforcement practices.
There are growing and ongoing needs for volunteers and mutual aid. Please fill out the interest form to share how you might be willing to help as needs arise. This does not commit you to anything—it simply allows us to stay connected and respond together with care.
Due to ongoing uncertainty, we may need to adjust programming and schedules. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about changes and ways to help.
January 13, 2026
Ice raid by park avenue umc
01.13.26
Park Avenue United Methodist Church Letter to the Congregation
Dear Park Ave Community,
The past few weeks have been full of nightmarish sounds: the cries of spouses and children calling out for their loved ones, the shrill shriek of whistles laying bare the evil among us, and the raised voices of our neighborhood, crying out in one accord—almost like a hymn—“ICE OUT NOW.”
January 13th, 2026, at the corner of Park Ave and 34th, those sounds became our lived reality as ICE raided our neighbors’ homes and remained at our corner for nearly two hours. As we prayed and cared for those around us, several Park Ave pastors and staff were among those who were pepper-bombed.
Park Ave Church has been clear about who we are and where we stand. We stand with our immigrant, refugee, migrant, and Native neighbors. We do this simply because we follow the way of Jesus, who named love of God and love of neighbor as the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37–39). Jesus calls us to see the humanity in every face—our immigrant neighbor; our Black, Indigenous, Asian American and Latine neighbor; our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Two Spirit (LGBTQIA2S) neighbors; and those among us who are elderly saints and young children. Each is “fearfully and wonderfully made” in the image of God. No exceptions.
This is also a moment to name that we stand against the evil we are witnessing in our midst. What is happening in our neighborhood is violent, traumatizing, and wrong. We stand against these actions by ICE:
Deploying masked, armed government agents and provocateurs into neighborhoods and commercial areas where immigrants live, work, and conduct business
Releasing chemical agents (such as tear gas) on or near school property
Using percussive or chemical crowd-control devices against lawful demonstrators
Conducting warrantless searches and seizing private property
Arresting and removing students from classrooms or school grounds
Demanding proof of citizenship and making arrests based solely on race, skin color, ethnic features, or perceived identity
Demanding individuals who fit a racial profile to submit to facial scanning
Targeting neighborhoods and businesses for raids based on the racial composition of the neighborhood or the demographic profile of customers and employees
Friends, as we move into tomorrow not knowing what will come, we hold grief and stubborn hope together. We mourn what has happened, and we also cling to the promise that we can still create spaces of radical belonging—glimpses of heaven here on earth—with God’s help and with one another. You are not alone.
With love and care,
Rev. Annie Taylor, Rev. Dan Johnson, Rev. Jennifer Ikoma-Motzko, Steven Belton (Pastoral staff team)
Karyn Sciortino Johnson, and Ryan Vos-Orrington (Co-chairs, Park Leadership Board)
January 7, 2026
In Memory of Renee nicole Good
01.07.26
Park Avenue United Methodist Church Letter to the Congregation on the Murder of Renee Nicole Good
Dear Park Avenue Church family,
We are writing with heavy hearts following today’s news that a woman observer (Renee Nicole Good) was killed in a shooting involving an ICE agent. This tragic loss of life grieves us deeply, and we mourn not only for her, but for our whole city as we witness our shared humanity erode.
Because this event occurred near our church, and in light of increased immigration enforcement activity in our neighborhood, we have been and will continue to quickly and deliberately gather more information so we can respond in line with our values and with the safety of our community in mind.
We know this moment brings many emotions: sadness, fear, anger, and concern. Scripture calls us to care for the immigrant and the refugee. We want to be clear: we stand with our refugee, migrant, and immigrant communities. When one part of our community hurts, we all hurt.
TONIGHT (January 7th): Park Prayer Meeting (via zoom) You are invited to join us for our online Wednesday night prayer gathering tonight at 7:00 PM. Please check your email if you are on our newsletter list for the link.
TONIGHT (January 7th): Community Vigil There is also a community vigil tonight at 5:00 PM at E 34th St & Portland Ave S, organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC). Park Avenue Church is not organizing or sponsoring this vigil; we share this simply as an option for being in community with people in your church and the wider Twin Cities community.
We remain committed to being a place of welcome, prayer, and care. Pastoral support is available. You are not alone.
With love and care,
Rev. Annie Taylor, Rev. Dan Johnson, Rev. Jennifer Ikoma-Motzko (Pastoral staff team)
Karyn Sciortino Johnson, and Ryan Vos-Orrington (Co-chairs, Park Leadership Board)