Minnesota is home to communities of immigrants that strengthen and make the state thrive. IDN defends the rights and freedoms of our neighbors and drives transformative change together.
The Immigrant Defense Network (IDN) – based in Minnesota is a growing, statewide network of 90+ nonprofits, grassroots groups, and advocates – developing new rapid response and movement building strategies through deep collaboration and coordination.
Established in 2025, the Immigrant Defense Network (IDN) is a network of over 90 immigrant, labor, legal, faith, and community organizations dedicated to protecting and advancing the constitutional rights of immigrant communities across Minnesota. In the face of ongoing and escalating threats to immigrant rights, IDN delivers trusted information, referrals to legal support, and coordinated educational activities. Immigrants are the backbone of Minnesota’s economy, cultural richness, and civic life. We all deserve to live with dignity and without fear.
We envision a Minnesota where all immigrant families live without fear, children dream freely, and communities stand united in their pursuit of justice and their own right to thrive, for the benefit of future generations.
We bring together a multiracial, multifaith, and multigenerational network of organizations and individuals across Minnesota to build collective power, ensuring that all immigrant communities are protected, empowered, and equipped to organize, engage in the political process, and defend their rights.
At the Immigrant Defense Network (IDN), we believe that every person, regardless of where they were born or their immigration status, deserves to live and thrive with dignity, safety, and opportunity. We are united by the following values and a belief that all immigrants, in their beautiful diversity, are essential to the strength, resilience, and prosperity of Minnesota. Our shared values are Collective Power, Solidarity, Shared Future, Humanity, Joy.
We believe that fear should never be a condition of anyone’s life, and we are committed to building a Minnesota where all people can thrive, contribute, and belong.
We believe that immigrants are essential to the fabric of Minnesota. Therefore, we believe that their rights, contributions, and humanity must be recognized, protected, and celebrated.
We believe that no one should live in the shadows of fear or exclusion. Every immigrant deserves access to justice, opportunity, and full participation in civic life.
We believe that when immigrant communities are supported and empowered, all of Minnesota benefits, economically, culturally, and democratically. In defending immigrants, we defend the future of our shared society.
The IDN utilizes a two-pronged “Drive & Defend” framework focused on both community defense and proactive change.
The role of IDN is to be a community resource hub, immigration policy watchdog, and engine for rapid response to violations of immigrant rights & due process. The IDN’s rapid response strategy includes maintaining helpline infrastructure, deploying observers, and organizing public demonstrations.
The role of IDN in shaping public narratives and conversations about immigrants and mobilizing a diverse network of over 90+ organizations towards transforming systems, with the goal of improving the quality of life and dignity of immigrants.
Individuals, groups, and organizations who believe in IDN’s values and are committed to protecting, defending, and upholding the rights and freedoms of immigrant communities are welcome to join the network. We ask for active participation and meaningful contribution in IDN’s general meetings and our collective work across the state. Please send your full name, location, and affiliation to info@immigrantdefensenetwork.org.
