Heather Randell
@heatherrandell.bsky.social
Assistant professor in the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota. Sociologist/demographer studying the health impacts of climate change and dams, with a focus on Brazil and East Africa.
https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/heatherrandell
https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/heatherrandell
I took my kid to free Saturdays at the art museum and painted this. A family came over to paint at our table and I heard the dad mutter “Jesus” angrily when he looked at it. I’m sorry but if you are bothered by anti-ICE signs, you probably shouldn’t come to Minneapolis these days, or ever. Go home!
February 7, 2026 at 9:50 PM
I took my kid to free Saturdays at the art museum and painted this. A family came over to paint at our table and I heard the dad mutter “Jesus” angrily when he looked at it. I’m sorry but if you are bothered by anti-ICE signs, you probably shouldn’t come to Minneapolis these days, or ever. Go home!
Reposted by Heather Randell
There are so many ways to support our community. This is a beautiful one!
I wrote a song for our immigrant neighbors here in Minnesota.
Pardon my rusty guitar skills—it’s been over 10 years since I wrote my last song, but this moment called for music.
youtube.com/shorts/B7Csu...
Pardon my rusty guitar skills—it’s been over 10 years since I wrote my last song, but this moment called for music.
youtube.com/shorts/B7Csu...
In a Minnesota Winter by Heather Randell
YouTube video by Heather Randell
youtube.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:53 PM
There are so many ways to support our community. This is a beautiful one!
We’ve got GREAT men here, but it’s overwhelmingly women caring for our community. On top of jobs & parenting.
I have hemorrhaged time & money on food, rental assistance, toys & books, grocery runs, & GoFundMe’s. And I’m not doing nearly as much as other women.
www.glamour.com/story/the-wo...
I have hemorrhaged time & money on food, rental assistance, toys & books, grocery runs, & GoFundMe’s. And I’m not doing nearly as much as other women.
www.glamour.com/story/the-wo...
The Women Holding Minneapolis Together
In Minnesota, a community is coming together to push back against ICE and support their neighbors. It should surprise no one that much of this work is being led by women. Glamour reports from the fron...
www.glamour.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:40 PM
We’ve got GREAT men here, but it’s overwhelmingly women caring for our community. On top of jobs & parenting.
I have hemorrhaged time & money on food, rental assistance, toys & books, grocery runs, & GoFundMe’s. And I’m not doing nearly as much as other women.
www.glamour.com/story/the-wo...
I have hemorrhaged time & money on food, rental assistance, toys & books, grocery runs, & GoFundMe’s. And I’m not doing nearly as much as other women.
www.glamour.com/story/the-wo...
This is very good reporting. We live in an uncivilized country.
Maria is one of hundreds of children, who — like Liam Ramos — have been held at a Texas detention facility where parents say children languish as they’re served contaminated food, receive little education and struggle to obtain basic medical care.
Here's our attempt at telling their stories. 2/
Here's our attempt at telling their stories. 2/
Children trapped in Texas immigration facility recount nightmares, inedible food, no school
A photo of Liam Conejo Ramos, a scared 5-year-old, drew attention to a detention center in Dilley, Texas. Advocates say his experience reflects what hundreds of children have endured out of public vie...
www.nbcnews.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:46 PM
This is very good reporting. We live in an uncivilized country.
Reposted by Heather Randell
They are all our children. And I’m sorry Maria and peers that we have failed you so deeply.
This is Maria, a 6-year-old detained by ICE last year.
She began to unravel soon after arriving at a detention center in Texas, wetting the bed after years without accidents, crying through the night and begging to breastfeed again.
Most of all, she wanted to be reunited with her cat, Milo. 1/
She began to unravel soon after arriving at a detention center in Texas, wetting the bed after years without accidents, crying through the night and begging to breastfeed again.
Most of all, she wanted to be reunited with her cat, Milo. 1/
February 7, 2026 at 3:47 AM
They are all our children. And I’m sorry Maria and peers that we have failed you so deeply.
Minneapolis is a city for all seasons 🌱🌞🍁❄️
February 7, 2026 at 1:56 AM
Minneapolis is a city for all seasons 🌱🌞🍁❄️
Reposted by Heather Randell
He is a documented immigrant whose lawyer delivered the medication, but it's still being withheld. This is so dangerous.
A man taken into custody in Rochester Thursday by federal immigration agents and now held at the Whipple Federal Building in the Twin Cities is a recent organ transplant recipient who is without his needed anti-rejection medication, state Rep. Kim Hicks tells MPR News.
Transplant recipient arrested by federal agents in Rochester needs medicine, state representative says
State Rep. Kim Hicks told MPR News she drove to the Whipple Federal Building near Ft. Snelling Thursday night to give the man his medication but authorities wouldn't take it without a doctor's note. S...
www.mprnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 7:34 PM
He is a documented immigrant whose lawyer delivered the medication, but it's still being withheld. This is so dangerous.
Reposted by Heather Randell
The wife of one of our master’s students was detained by ICE last month. She was released, but was so traumatized that she has left MN out of fear. He is now caring for his two daughters alone and had to bring his toddler to class yesterday. Please help him out if you can 🩵
gofund.me/6222f0e3d
gofund.me/6222f0e3d
Donate to A cry for Emergency help from an ICE victim, organized by Samson Williams
My name is Samson Williams, and I am a second-year MPP student at the Hump… Samson Williams needs your support for A cry for Emergency help from an ICE victim
gofund.me
February 5, 2026 at 9:23 PM
The wife of one of our master’s students was detained by ICE last month. She was released, but was so traumatized that she has left MN out of fear. He is now caring for his two daughters alone and had to bring his toddler to class yesterday. Please help him out if you can 🩵
gofund.me/6222f0e3d
gofund.me/6222f0e3d
Reposted by Heather Randell
Opinion | I’m the Prime Minister of Spain. This Is Why the West Needs Migrants.
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Read this article. And remember, many of the people detained by ICE, shipped to Texas, held in degrading conditions for days or weeks, and then released with no way to get back to Minnesota, are here legally.
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/u...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/u...
Trump’s Migrant Detention Pipeline Extends From Minnesota to El Paso
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Read this article. And remember, many of the people detained by ICE, shipped to Texas, held in degrading conditions for days or weeks, and then released with no way to get back to Minnesota, are here legally.
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/u...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/u...
The wife of one of our master’s students was detained by ICE last month. She was released, but was so traumatized that she has left MN out of fear. He is now caring for his two daughters alone and had to bring his toddler to class yesterday. Please help him out if you can 🩵
gofund.me/6222f0e3d
gofund.me/6222f0e3d
Donate to A cry for Emergency help from an ICE victim, organized by Samson Williams
My name is Samson Williams, and I am a second-year MPP student at the Hump… Samson Williams needs your support for A cry for Emergency help from an ICE victim
gofund.me
February 5, 2026 at 9:23 PM
The wife of one of our master’s students was detained by ICE last month. She was released, but was so traumatized that she has left MN out of fear. He is now caring for his two daughters alone and had to bring his toddler to class yesterday. Please help him out if you can 🩵
gofund.me/6222f0e3d
gofund.me/6222f0e3d
Reposted by Heather Randell
So moved by this beautiful song written by my old neighbor. “Your children are our children!”
I wrote a song for our immigrant neighbors here in Minnesota.
Pardon my rusty guitar skills—it’s been over 10 years since I wrote my last song, but this moment called for music.
youtube.com/shorts/B7Csu...
Pardon my rusty guitar skills—it’s been over 10 years since I wrote my last song, but this moment called for music.
youtube.com/shorts/B7Csu...
In a Minnesota Winter by Heather Randell
YouTube video by Heather Randell
youtube.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:33 PM
So moved by this beautiful song written by my old neighbor. “Your children are our children!”
If Springsteen renewed your enthusiasm over protest songs, take a listen to mine.
I wrote a song for our immigrant neighbors here in Minnesota.
Pardon my rusty guitar skills—it’s been over 10 years since I wrote my last song, but this moment called for music.
youtube.com/shorts/B7Csu...
Pardon my rusty guitar skills—it’s been over 10 years since I wrote my last song, but this moment called for music.
youtube.com/shorts/B7Csu...
In a Minnesota Winter by Heather Randell
YouTube video by Heather Randell
youtube.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:25 PM
If Springsteen renewed your enthusiasm over protest songs, take a listen to mine.
Reposted by Heather Randell
You should absolutely visit. And if you’re like me, you might just want to move here.
February 5, 2026 at 1:41 PM
You should absolutely visit. And if you’re like me, you might just want to move here.
I wrote a song for our immigrant neighbors here in Minnesota.
Pardon my rusty guitar skills—it’s been over 10 years since I wrote my last song, but this moment called for music.
youtube.com/shorts/B7Csu...
Pardon my rusty guitar skills—it’s been over 10 years since I wrote my last song, but this moment called for music.
youtube.com/shorts/B7Csu...
In a Minnesota Winter by Heather Randell
YouTube video by Heather Randell
youtube.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:53 PM
I wrote a song for our immigrant neighbors here in Minnesota.
Pardon my rusty guitar skills—it’s been over 10 years since I wrote my last song, but this moment called for music.
youtube.com/shorts/B7Csu...
Pardon my rusty guitar skills—it’s been over 10 years since I wrote my last song, but this moment called for music.
youtube.com/shorts/B7Csu...
We will never forget what they are doing to the kids here.
“Neighbors are scared to leave the house. Bomb threats have been called in to schools. Events have been canceled. Friends are missing from classrooms. And parents have been taken.”
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
“Neighbors are scared to leave the house. Bomb threats have been called in to schools. Events have been canceled. Friends are missing from classrooms. And parents have been taken.”
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
A Winter of Anguish for Minneapolis Children
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:08 PM
We will never forget what they are doing to the kids here.
“Neighbors are scared to leave the house. Bomb threats have been called in to schools. Events have been canceled. Friends are missing from classrooms. And parents have been taken.”
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
“Neighbors are scared to leave the house. Bomb threats have been called in to schools. Events have been canceled. Friends are missing from classrooms. And parents have been taken.”
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
Reposted by Heather Randell
Remember her name: Aliya Rahman
Her testimony is everything and it deserves to be heard, by everyone. Decide for yourself.
It’s powerful. It’s gut-wrenching. And no one should have to survive what she did.
ICE MUST GO‼️
Her testimony is everything and it deserves to be heard, by everyone. Decide for yourself.
It’s powerful. It’s gut-wrenching. And no one should have to survive what she did.
ICE MUST GO‼️
February 3, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Remember her name: Aliya Rahman
Her testimony is everything and it deserves to be heard, by everyone. Decide for yourself.
It’s powerful. It’s gut-wrenching. And no one should have to survive what she did.
ICE MUST GO‼️
Her testimony is everything and it deserves to be heard, by everyone. Decide for yourself.
It’s powerful. It’s gut-wrenching. And no one should have to survive what she did.
ICE MUST GO‼️
Reposted by Heather Randell
I'm so mad that we have to pass the hat around to pay landlords so our neighbors aren't forever screwed
February 4, 2026 at 12:41 AM
I'm so mad that we have to pass the hat around to pay landlords so our neighbors aren't forever screwed
Reposted by Heather Randell
Elizabeth is a Columbia Heights fourth-grader who loves volleyball, learning English and giggling in the halls with her friends. She's been held in the Dilley Immigration Processing Center for nearly a month, and she and her mom have both fallen ill. sahanjournal.com/education/co...
Sick fourth-grader among 4 Columbia Heights students held by ICE
Columbia Heights Public Schools says four students remain detained by ICE after Liam’s return, including 10-year-old Elizabeth, who has fallen ill.
sahanjournal.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:54 PM
Elizabeth is a Columbia Heights fourth-grader who loves volleyball, learning English and giggling in the halls with her friends. She's been held in the Dilley Immigration Processing Center for nearly a month, and she and her mom have both fallen ill. sahanjournal.com/education/co...
“What’s working so well in Minneapolis is that people are collaborating. They are caring about others simply because they are part of the local community, simply because they are human…They are showing up, as often and as loudly as they can.”
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/o...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/o...
Opinion | The Risk We Face in Opposing Trump
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:49 PM
“What’s working so well in Minneapolis is that people are collaborating. They are caring about others simply because they are part of the local community, simply because they are human…They are showing up, as often and as loudly as they can.”
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/o...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/o...
I love Minneapolis Public Schools. One Thursday each month the schools serve a meal made with ingredients from local farms, and this round includes sweet potato pie for Black History Month.
“Fresh local lunch for great local kids”
“Fresh local lunch for great local kids”
February 3, 2026 at 7:51 PM
I love Minneapolis Public Schools. One Thursday each month the schools serve a meal made with ingredients from local farms, and this round includes sweet potato pie for Black History Month.
“Fresh local lunch for great local kids”
“Fresh local lunch for great local kids”
Reposted by Heather Randell
Folks outside of Minnesota: Looking for how you can support Latino small businesses in Minneapolis? Here you go.
Y'all Mercado Central still needs some help so that they don't lose their building
Donate to Help Save Mercado Central from Closure, organized by Cooperativa Mercado Central
Mercado Central, a cooperative founded by latino entrepeneurs
with… Cooperativa Mercado Central needs your support for Help Save Mercado Central from Closure
gofund.me
February 3, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Folks outside of Minnesota: Looking for how you can support Latino small businesses in Minneapolis? Here you go.
Reposted by Heather Randell
We want ICE OUT and, once they’re out, we want justice for the harm they did to us - the massive damage to our economy, the crisis in our schools, recompense for the families of our dead, and most of all, WE WANT OUR STOLEN NEIGHBORS BACK
February 3, 2026 at 12:12 PM
We want ICE OUT and, once they’re out, we want justice for the harm they did to us - the massive damage to our economy, the crisis in our schools, recompense for the families of our dead, and most of all, WE WANT OUR STOLEN NEIGHBORS BACK
Reposted by Heather Randell
Call for Applications! NextGenPop is an undergraduate program in population research, 2-week on-campus summer experience and virtual components hosted by the University of Minnesota, June 7 – 19, 2026. Deadline Feb. 5
NextGenPop
Next Generation of Scholars in Population Research
buff.ly
February 2, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Call for Applications! NextGenPop is an undergraduate program in population research, 2-week on-campus summer experience and virtual components hosted by the University of Minnesota, June 7 – 19, 2026. Deadline Feb. 5
This is Liam Conejo Ramos’ school district. Four other kids from this school district remain in ICE custody.
The Columbia Heights school district canceled classes Monday after what school officials are calling a “credible threat.” The district didn’t release further details about the nature of the threat. It said the move to cancel classes was out of an abundance of caution.
Columbia Heights schools closed Monday due to ‘credible threat’
The Columbia Heights school district canceled classes Monday after what school officials are calling a “credible threat.” The district didn’t release further details about the nature of the threat. It...
www.mprnews.org
February 2, 2026 at 4:35 PM
This is Liam Conejo Ramos’ school district. Four other kids from this school district remain in ICE custody.