🔎 How to sue ICE

What Does It Take to Sue ICE?

When ICE agents break a car window, kick in the door to a house, or cause a car crash, who pays for it? On today's episode of City Cast Twin Cities, producer Tiffany Bui spoke with Chuck Slane, attorney and owner of TSR Injury Law, about how residents are looking to hold the federal government accountable. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

• How to sue the feds: Cases are being brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which allows individuals to sue the federal government for injury, death, or property loss caused by negligent or wrongful actions of federal employees. According to Slane, while some lawyers are being trained on filing habeas corpus petitions to help get folks released from ICE detention, others are being trained on filing suits under the FTCA to help people recover damages after the fact. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]
• Is it even worth it? Slane noted that these cases can be very difficult to win and are much slower than criminal trials. However, Slane said it's important for our society as a whole that people pursue these cases. "There's an avenue here to hold the government accountable, and if people don't take it just because it's hard, then the government's behavior will only get worse." Notably, the legal team representing Renee Good’s family is suing under the FTCA. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities / Washington Post]

Redacted: Minnesota lawmakers are frustrated that the state has denied them access to an unredacted audit of billing across the state's social services. Lawmakers hoped the report would help identify and improve systems that have enabled fraud in Minnesota, but the Department of Human Services heavily censored the report. Prosecutors argue that fraud in Minnesota's social services could total $9 billion, but the Star Tribune has identified only $200 million of alleged fraud. [Star Tribune]

Bouncing back: The Lake Street Council has been organizing regular "cash mobs" to direct traffic to specific restaurants on Lake Street as they recover financially from ICE's surge. These “mobs” create a party-like atmosphere with activities like pop-up screenprinting at the restaurants and have drawn hundreds of customers. Keep an eye on the Visit Lake Street Instagram to find out when the next one is scheduled. [Racket / 🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

Possible arson attempt: On Tuesday night, the memorial to Renee Macklin Good on Portland Avenue was reportedly doused in gasoline and set on fire. A fence was charred, but neighbors were able to put out the fire before extensive damage was done. Minneapolis police are investigating the incident, and no arrests have been made. [Star Tribune]

Open investigation: The FBI and St. Paul police have opened an investigation into an ICE arrest that resulted in memory loss, brain hemorrhaging, and eight skull fractures for local resident Alberto Castañeda Mondragón. ICE claimed that Castañeda Mondragón ran into a concrete wall, but doctors have disputed that claim, saying it is inconsistent with his injuries. Castañeda Mondragón claimed that the officers had been "racist" and "started beating me right away when they arrested me." [MPR]

Helping our youth: Data shows that a Ramsey County juvenile justice program called "(Re)Imagining Justice for Youth" has successfully reduced recidivism for minors who have committed a crime. After five years of implementation, 4% of youth who completed the program reoffended within 12 months, compared to 29% of those in the traditional court system. [Minnesota Reformer]

Thursday, Feb 19

• 🧶 Traditional Crafting Group | American Indian Family Center
• 🎨 Snack and Squish: "Color Concepts and Blind Faith" | Flux Arts Building
• 🖼️ Free Thursdays 🆓 | Walker Art Center
• 🤝 All Abilities Resource Fair 🆓 | Brooklyn Park
• 💄 Drag Queen Charity Bingo | Roxy’s Cabaret
• 🧠 Trivia Mafia 🆓 | Laugh Camp Comedy Club
• 🎶 Conan Gray | Target Center
• 🇫🇷 Les Misérables | Orpheum

Friday, Feb 20

• 🧵 Fiber Art for All | Textile Center
• 🏀 Timberwolves vs. Mavericks | Target Center
• 🎬 Black Europe Film Festival: Hanami | The Main Cinema
• 🎹 Cornbread Harris | The High Hat
• 🔊 The Cedar Commissions Night One | Cedar Cultural Center
• 🥁 Vänskä, Keefe and Stravinsky | Minnesota Orchestra
• 🕺 Club XCX | First Ave

• Development Coordinator at Native American Community Development Institute | $65k per year
• Business Development and Marketing Specialist at Renewing the Countryside | $52k - $60k per year
• Hmong Health and Wellness Coordinator at UMN + Prairie Seeds Academy | $30 - $35 per hour
• Fraud Prevention Investigation and Fraud Control Program Coordinator at MN Department of Children, Youth, and Families | $67k - $99k per year
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