When the grocery store becomes a surveillance zone, your best defense is a mix of high-tech too old-school community communication. In Sartell, MN, the local government and advocacy groups have already set up several lifelines to help us document what’s happening and protect our neighbors.
Here is the breakdown of the resources available to help you act as a relay and report these incursions.
Minnesota State Portal & Official Reporting
If you witness federal misconduct, racial profiling, or agents operating without warrants in public spaces like Walmart, use the official state-supported channels.
ACLU of Minnesota Incident Report: Use this confidential legal intake form specifically designed for reporting unlawful conduct by federal agents in MN.
Attorney General’s Office: You can report civil rights violations directly to the MN Attorney General at (651) 296-3353 or via their online contact portal.
Refugee and Immigrant Helpline: A state-supported service that connects you to legal resources and housing support in multiple languages.1 Call 1-800-814-4806.
Digital Too Documenting & Protection
While some apps are being pulled from the Apple and Google stores, these remain the most effective ways to track and record encounters.
ACLU “Mobile Justice” App: This app automatically sends recorded video to the ACLU of Minnesota, so even if your phone is confiscated or broken, the footage is preserved on their servers.
Signal (Messaging): Use Signal for community relay groups. It’s end-to-end encrypted, meaning your “heads-up” messages to neighbors can’t be intercepted or read by the “plainclothes” tech we discussed.
ICE Activity Tracker: A community-led web platform ICE in My Area that allows for anonymous, crowdsourced reporting of sightings.
Shortcuts (iPhone): You can set up an “I’m getting pulled over” Siri Shortcut that automatically records video, dims your screen, and texts your location to a set of emergency contacts.2
Rapid Response Networks (The Human Relay)
If you see a “plainclothes” agent or an active sweep, call these numbers to get professional observers and legal aid to the scene:
OrganizationPurposeContactImmigrant Defense NetworkRapid Response Line612-255-3112Monarca Rapid ResponseWitness & Support612-441-2881MIRACDeportation Defensemiracmn@gmail.comNLG MinnesotaLegal Support612-444-2654
How to Safely “Relay” Information
When you’re at the Sartell Walmart and spot a “plainclothes” agent (black hoodie, tan tactical pants, scanning the room), here is how to handle it:
S.A.L.U.T.E. Reporting: If you message a group, include the Size (how many agents), Activity (monitoring vs. arresting), Location (which aisle/exit), Uniform (description), Time, and Equipment (vehicles in lot).
The “Distraction” Relay: If you see someone who might be a target, don’t point at the agent. Instead, strike up a conversation with the person or offer to help them with their cart while walking them toward a different exit or toward customer service.
Encrypted Warnings: Only share specific locations on encrypted apps like Signal. Avoid posting real-time live locations on public Facebook pages or X, as agents monitor these to clear the area or adjust their “creep.”
