Left behind: Pets suffer as ICE raids disrupt immigrant families in Minnesota

Animal rescue and foster organizations have mobilized to shelter abandoned animals and support pet-loving families in crisis because of the immigration crackdown in Minnesota.

By: Anna Nguyen

Outlets: Sahan Journal

Published: February 6, 2026

Words: 1,248

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

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Immigrant families, especially those whose members have been detained or deported, have suffered greatly during the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota. But Operation Metro Surge’s collateral damage goes beyond affected families — to their beloved pets.

In neighborhoods like St. Paul’s Frogtown, among the state’s oldest immigrant communities, animal rescue organizations have seen a surge in the number of pets needing care, left behind when their humans were suddenly detained.

“We started noticing an increase …

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