Rachel Widome
@rwidome.bsky.social
I'm an epidemiologist at the UMN's Division of Epidemiology and Community Health. I like rabbits. I like iced tea. I also like plots that involve time travel. On Twitter and elsewhere I'm rwidome too. More on me: https://widome.carrd.co/
Reposted by Rachel Widome
ICE killed a teacher in Georgia today when they chose to chase a man who posed no danger and had no criminal history.
Savannah teacher killed in crash by man fleeing from ICE
According to the Chatham County Police Department, Monday morning’s fatal crash was the result of a chase between Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and a suspect.
www.wtoc.com
February 17, 2026 at 12:28 AM
ICE killed a teacher in Georgia today when they chose to chase a man who posed no danger and had no criminal history.
Reposted by Rachel Widome
Oh, okay. I'll bite.
The right to vote is enshrined in the Constitution.
The "right" of armed federal cops to arrest, beat, and kill people with anonymity is not.
The right to vote is enshrined in the Constitution.
The "right" of armed federal cops to arrest, beat, and kill people with anonymity is not.
Emmer: "Another reform they claim they want is they want ICE agents to identify themselves, to show identification. But they don't want identification for voters in elections. I mean, this stuff is just intellectually inconsistent."
February 16, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Oh, okay. I'll bite.
The right to vote is enshrined in the Constitution.
The "right" of armed federal cops to arrest, beat, and kill people with anonymity is not.
The right to vote is enshrined in the Constitution.
The "right" of armed federal cops to arrest, beat, and kill people with anonymity is not.
So so so incredibly grateful we’ve had Keith Ellison as AG…
I was at a campaign event yesterday & a politician friend made this very important point to me: we can talk about all the different MN elections in Nov, but none of them is as close and crucial to fighting fascism than reelecting Keith Ellison
February 16, 2026 at 5:26 PM
So so so incredibly grateful we’ve had Keith Ellison as AG…
Reposted by Rachel Widome
I was at a campaign event yesterday & a politician friend made this very important point to me: we can talk about all the different MN elections in Nov, but none of them is as close and crucial to fighting fascism than reelecting Keith Ellison
February 16, 2026 at 4:17 PM
I was at a campaign event yesterday & a politician friend made this very important point to me: we can talk about all the different MN elections in Nov, but none of them is as close and crucial to fighting fascism than reelecting Keith Ellison
Reposted by Rachel Widome
Just cloned Stand With Minnesota for another state.
I am so excited someone finally took me up on the offer. I even made them a little logo and redid the site in their colors.
I am so excited someone finally took me up on the offer. I even made them a little logo and redid the site in their colors.
February 15, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Just cloned Stand With Minnesota for another state.
I am so excited someone finally took me up on the offer. I even made them a little logo and redid the site in their colors.
I am so excited someone finally took me up on the offer. I even made them a little logo and redid the site in their colors.
Some turkeys think they are peacocks
February 13, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Some turkeys think they are peacocks
Reposted by Rachel Widome
This is a huge victory. DHS must allow detainees a call to either family or a lawyer within one hour of arriving at Whipple, and then may not transfer them out of Minnesota for 72 hours.
I’m crying. So happy and relieved. We can help our clients before it’s too late. More people can be helped.
I’m crying. So happy and relieved. We can help our clients before it’s too late. More people can be helped.
February 13, 2026 at 3:12 AM
This is a huge victory. DHS must allow detainees a call to either family or a lawyer within one hour of arriving at Whipple, and then may not transfer them out of Minnesota for 72 hours.
I’m crying. So happy and relieved. We can help our clients before it’s too late. More people can be helped.
I’m crying. So happy and relieved. We can help our clients before it’s too late. More people can be helped.
Reposted by Rachel Widome
Every photo from Minneapolis looks like this. Cops decked out with guns and full tac gear facing off against people in bathrobes, parkas, and sweatpants armed only with whistles and cell phones.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
February 11, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Every photo from Minneapolis looks like this. Cops decked out with guns and full tac gear facing off against people in bathrobes, parkas, and sweatpants armed only with whistles and cell phones.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
Reposted by Rachel Widome
ICE is likely paying a premium to get the deal through quickly. E.g., in Hamburg, PA, the warehouse was purchased in 2024 for $57.5 million and sold to ICE for $87 million.
The real profit will come with the private prison companies and contractors hired to refurbish and staff these facilities.
The real profit will come with the private prison companies and contractors hired to refurbish and staff these facilities.
February 9, 2026 at 6:21 PM
ICE is likely paying a premium to get the deal through quickly. E.g., in Hamburg, PA, the warehouse was purchased in 2024 for $57.5 million and sold to ICE for $87 million.
The real profit will come with the private prison companies and contractors hired to refurbish and staff these facilities.
The real profit will come with the private prison companies and contractors hired to refurbish and staff these facilities.
Reposted by Rachel Widome
ICE has now spent over half a BILLION dollars just on purchasing warehouses around the country to convert into detention camps.
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ICE to begin detaining immigrants inside Social Circle warehouse in April
Homeland Security plans to build warehouse detention facilities in other cities being met with opposition.
www.ajc.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:56 PM
ICE has now spent over half a BILLION dollars just on purchasing warehouses around the country to convert into detention camps.
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
"The programs slated to be cut are in California, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota. They include grants to state and local public health departments as well as to some nongovernmental organizations."
This friggin' roller coaster.
This friggin' roller coaster.
The Trump administration plans to rescind $600 million in public health funds from four states led by Democrats because it finds the grants “inconsistent with agency priorities,” according to documents reviewed by the NYT
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/h...
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/h...
Trump Administration to Cut $600 Million in Health Funding From Four States
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:38 AM
"The programs slated to be cut are in California, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota. They include grants to state and local public health departments as well as to some nongovernmental organizations."
This friggin' roller coaster.
This friggin' roller coaster.
Blessed are the reports that offer a suggested citation on their copyright page 😇
February 9, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Blessed are the reports that offer a suggested citation on their copyright page 😇
So wait Minneapolis, does this kill the planned lead service line replacements that we (or at least a bunch of us, including me) were to get? www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Outrage after US Congress votes to slash $125m in funding to replace toxic lead pipes
Move will hit Michigan, Illinois, New York and other states with highest levels of lead drinking water pipes the hardest
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:11 PM
So wait Minneapolis, does this kill the planned lead service line replacements that we (or at least a bunch of us, including me) were to get? www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Rachel Widome
1/ ProPublica collected handwritten letters in mid-January from children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was taken.
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
February 9, 2026 at 12:25 PM
1/ ProPublica collected handwritten letters in mid-January from children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was taken.
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
Tonight was the 1st time in my life (I think?) that I watched anything Super Bowl related. Thank you for that, Bad Bunny!!!
February 9, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Tonight was the 1st time in my life (I think?) that I watched anything Super Bowl related. Thank you for that, Bad Bunny!!!
Can I recommend the Bad Bunny Tiny Desk performance?
February 8, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Can I recommend the Bad Bunny Tiny Desk performance?
Okay, I did it. I listened to the entire Ross Douthat interview of Jay Bhattacharya. I was hoping to gain some insight into whether Bhattacharya actually believes in or even really understands the things he says and does. Heck, who knows. But gosh what a terrible NIH Director.
February 8, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Okay, I did it. I listened to the entire Ross Douthat interview of Jay Bhattacharya. I was hoping to gain some insight into whether Bhattacharya actually believes in or even really understands the things he says and does. Heck, who knows. But gosh what a terrible NIH Director.
As of a couple days ago, I wear glasses. Not like reading glasses (had those for decades), all-the-time glasses. Pro: I can now see. Con: OMG.
Unbeknownst to me I had been seeing the world thru an instagram filter for the past few years.
Unbeknownst to me I had been seeing the world thru an instagram filter for the past few years.
February 8, 2026 at 4:30 PM
As of a couple days ago, I wear glasses. Not like reading glasses (had those for decades), all-the-time glasses. Pro: I can now see. Con: OMG.
Unbeknownst to me I had been seeing the world thru an instagram filter for the past few years.
Unbeknownst to me I had been seeing the world thru an instagram filter for the past few years.
Reposted by Rachel Widome
Martin, an 18-year-old citizen, traveled with his Madison-area soccer team to Minneapolis for a Futsal tournament. He saved up money so his mom could take time off work to go with him. But while they were there, ICE took his mom, who has been detained ever since.
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
Mother's immigration arrest leaves Madison soccer standout reeling
Federal immigration agents detained a Madison soccer player's mother while she was in Minnesota for her son's games. Now, he's struggling.
www.jsonline.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Martin, an 18-year-old citizen, traveled with his Madison-area soccer team to Minneapolis for a Futsal tournament. He saved up money so his mom could take time off work to go with him. But while they were there, ICE took his mom, who has been detained ever since.
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
Reposted by Rachel Widome
You know one of the stories that has kind of blown my mind is Haven Watch. Some lady realized people who got released from the Whipple were just dumped outside with no phone or coat and decided she could do something about this, like a month ago.
But there are a ton of similar stories.
But there are a ton of similar stories.
if everyone could take on the “what if we just did the thing instead of waiting for it to happen” energy that much of minneapolis has right now, the world could be pretty good
February 7, 2026 at 12:03 AM
You know one of the stories that has kind of blown my mind is Haven Watch. Some lady realized people who got released from the Whipple were just dumped outside with no phone or coat and decided she could do something about this, like a month ago.
But there are a ton of similar stories.
But there are a ton of similar stories.
Reposted by Rachel Widome
LawHelpMN is building out a clearinghouse of resources for people who are detained or at risk of detention by ICE. It'll be continually updated as new resources come online. Available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali
www.lawhelpmn.org/detained
www.lawhelpmn.org/detained
Resources for People Detained or Worried About Being Detained
This fact sheet talks about resources for people who were detained by ICE or think they might be detained.If you are worried about being detained, use this form to record information that might help y...
www.lawhelpmn.org
February 6, 2026 at 11:58 PM
LawHelpMN is building out a clearinghouse of resources for people who are detained or at risk of detention by ICE. It'll be continually updated as new resources come online. Available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali
www.lawhelpmn.org/detained
www.lawhelpmn.org/detained
Time to make the donuts
February 6, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Time to make the donuts