BOSTON – Soomaali sharciga TPS-ka haysta iyo ha’yado u dooda xuquuqda dadka muhaajiriinta ah ayaa dacwad ka gudbiyay maxkamad federaal ah oo ku taala magaaladda Boston si ay u difaacaan kumannaan qof oo Soomaali ah oo ku nool Maraykanka kuwaas oo halis ugu jira in laga masaafuriyo dalka.

Dacwadda waxaa gudbiyay Ha’yaddaha African Communities Together (ACT) iyo Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA), saddex qof oo Soomaali ah oo haysta TPS (Temporary Protected Status) iyo hal qof oo codsaday TPS. Dacwaddan oo shalay la shaaciyay ayaa waxaa laga gudbiyay maxkamad ku taalla magaaladda Boston ee gobolka Massachusetts.

TPS-ka ayaa ah barnaamij sharci ku-meel-gaadh ah oo ku salaysan bani’aadamnimo oo ay dowladda Maraykanku siiso dadka magangalyo doonka ah ee ka yimid dalalka ay ka jiraan dagaallo, masiibooyin ama xaalado aad u adag. Barnaamijkani wuxuu u oggolaanayaa dadka inay si ku-meel-gaar ah ugu noolaadaan Maraykanka ogana shaqeystaan.

Maamulka Donald Trump ayaa go’aansaday in la joojiyo TPS-ka Soomaaliya, waxaana la qorsheeyay in go’aankaasi dhaqan galo 17-ka Maarso 2026. Haddii taasi dhacdo, kumannaan qof oo Soomaali ah ayaa lumin kara sharciyadooda, shaqadooda, waxayna halis ugu jiri karaan in la masaafuriyo.

Dadka dacwadda gudbiyay waxay sheegayaan in Soomaaliya weli ay ka jiraan colaado, khatar ka imaanaysa Al-Shabaab, barakac ballaaran, abaaro, cunto yari iyo dhibaato bani’aadamnimo. Sidaas darteed waxay ku dacwoonayaan in aan dadka lagu celin karin dalka xilligan oo weli marxaladihii ku kalifay dadkan in ay magan-galyo weydiistaan dalka Mareykanka ay weli jiraan. Ha’yaddaha taageeraya dacwadda waxay sheegeen in joojinta TPS ay kala geyso qoysas, waalidiinna laga yaabo in laga fogeeyo carruurtooda, dadka qaarna lagu celiyo meel aan ammaan ahayn oo naftooda halis galayso.

Waxay sidoo kale ku eedeeyeen maamulka Trump in go’aankan uu qayb ka yahay siyaasad ballaaran oo TPS looga joojinayo dalal badan oo ka tirsan Afrika, Aasiya, Kariibiyaanka iyo Bariga Dhexe. Dacwaddan waxay doonaysaa in maxkamaddu dib u dhigto ama joojiso go’aanka lagu joojinayo TPS-ka ay haystaan dadka Soomaalida ah ee la filayo in ay dhaqan gasho 17-ka Maarso oo ku aadn Talaadadda soo socota, si Soomaalida ku nool Maraykanku aysan u lumin sharciyadda ku meel-gaadhka ah ee ay hadda haystaan.

Faith leaders barred from the Whipple Federal Building join lawsuit to defend their rights under the First Amendment and Religious Freedom Restoration Act

(MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.) —Today, Groundwork Legal and Saul Ewing filed a lawsuit against the federal government, including the Department of Homeland Security, for unlawfully barring faith leaders from providing pastoral care to Minnesotans detained at the Whipple Federal Building. The lawsuit asserts that ICE’s ongoing refusal to allow faith leaders to meet with Minnesotans detained at the Whipple Federal Building violates the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and requests that the court grant immediate relief so faith leaders can provide pastoral care to detainees.

Groundwork Legal and Saul Ewing are representing the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC), and Father Christopher Collins, SJ, a Jesuit priest.

Faith leaders have attempted to provide pastoral care to individuals detained at the Whipple Federal Building since the beginning of Operation Metro Surge.

The ELCA and UCC represent congregations and clergy across Minnesota whose faith compels them to minister to those who are detained, imprisoned, and torn from their families. The federal government has consistently denied faith leaders the ability to provide pastoral care to detainees, including just a few days ago on the Christian holy day of Ash Wednesday. 

“Constitutional rights do not disappear at the doors of the Whipple,” said Irina Vaynerman, CEO of Groundwork Legal. “The way we treat those in detention or facing deportation is one of the true litmus tests of our democracy. Pastoral care allows for detainees to be treated with humanity, instead of being treated like inventory.” 

“Denying faith leaders access to detainees is not only a violation of law, it is a denial of dignity to those whose rights are most at stake,” added Chelsea Walcker, Chief Legal Officer of Groundwork Legal, “We are committed to defending these rights and ensuring that pastoral care is available to all who need it.” 

“Pastoral care is the heart and soul of what our Pastors and Deacons are called to provide in their congregations and around the community. We walk together, listening, praying, guiding, and offering the peace and presence of Jesus Christ,” said Bishop Jen Nagel of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA. “This is particularly important during times of stress, grief, isolation, and transition.”

The United States has a long history of allowing faith leaders to provide pastoral care inside of prisons, jails, and holding facilities. The right of clergy and faith leaders to provide this type of ministry is enshrined in the First Amendment and federal statutory law. In February, a federal judge ordered ICE to allow faith leaders in Illinois to give communion to detained immigrants on Ash Wednesday.

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Groundwork Legal is a Minnesota-based public interest law firm dedicated to advancing justice and democracy through impact litigation and innovative legal work. The firm was co-founded by Irina Vaynerman and Chelsea Walcker in January 2025 to protect civil rights, hold institutions accountable, and improve government systems.

Case materials are available here.

[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today ordered all United States and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff at all state buildings in the State of Minnesota from sunrise on Wednesday, February 25, 2025, to sunset on Thursday, 26, 2026, in honor and remembrance of the Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., who passed away at the age of 84. 

“Reverend Jackson spent his life pushing America to live up to its highest ideals,” said Governor Walz. “His fight for civil rights, dignity, and fairness changed our country and will inspire generations to come. Gwen and I extend our deepest condolences to the Jackson family and to all who mourn his passing.” 

Reverend Jackson rose to national prominence in the civil rights movement, working alongside Martin Luther King Jr. to advance equality and economic justice. He later founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, expanding opportunities through social justice advocacy and civic engagement, and his work touched Minnesota through efforts like advocating for farmers, encouraging voter registration, and standing with communities after the killings of Philando Castile, George Floyd, and Daunte Wright.

He mobilized millions of voters, championed economic inclusion, and built multiracial coalitions to expand opportunity for working families and marginalized communities. His historic presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988 broadened civic participation and inspired future generations of leaders, including Barack Obama. Reverend Jackson’s call to “keep hope alive” inspired generations and helped shape a global movement for dignity, unity, and human rights. 

Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to join in lowering their flags to honor Reverend Jackson’s life and legacy. The Governor’s proclamation can be found here. 

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