Jan. 15—MINNEAPOLIS — The former managing director of Rochester Civic Theater issued a frantic call for support from her Minnesota community late Wednesday after learning her daughter was in federal immigration custody and reportedly was to be transferred to Texas.
Misha Johnson’s sister-in-law, originally from Venezuela, was riding in a car with her husband Wednesday when the two were stopped by an unmarked car, Johnson said.
“They were scared,” Johnson said, adding that the recent fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent added anxiety to the situation.
“You don’t want to make a scene because you fear for your life,” she said.
However, the couple remained outwardly calm, Johnson said. Both are married; the woman has been in the United States for more than 10 years; she has no criminal record; she is employed full time and is up to date with her citizenship application. She carries the paperwork and work permit with her all the time now. The couple did not think they would be targeted for removal.
Instead, federal agents removed her from the car and took her into custody. They left her husband alone in the car with unanswered questions. He sent a text and then called his mother.
“Agents were clearly profiling,” Johnson said.
ICE has not yet responded to a request for comment on the detention.
Johnson posted on social media asking for suggestions for legal assistance. She said her son was told by immigration officials that his wife was being moved to El Paso, Texas. Johnson said she hopes to move the process forward and stop the removal proceedings.
“The few personal resources she has in Minnesota are all being taken away,” Johnson said. “I think that’s why it’s so important to make as much noise as we can before they take her to a state where she doesn’t have a support system.”
The support and empathy from Minnesota has been emotionally moving, she said.
For a moment, she wasn’t sure whether to share the incident publicly, but hearing from people, especially in Rochester, was comforting.
“I miss the people there so much,” she said.
She also decided it was important to share her personal story as increasingly aggressive federal immigration actions affect more people.
“We all can’t be quiet about it,” Johnson said.
The reality of what is happening in Minnesota is unbelievable to her, she added.
“It is unbelievable what is happening in this country, we are a melting pot, this is where people from all over the world come to be safe,” she said. “This is completely unacceptable for our country.”