Sunday October 5, 2025
FILE - ICE is holding Somalia detainees from Minnesota in the for-profit Catahoula Correctional Center, in Louisiana Credit: Photo courtesy of Catahoula Correctional CenterMINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (HOL) — Minnesota immigrant rights groups and school leaders are warning families after reports of a federal campaign that allegedly urges unaccompanied migrant children to request removal in exchange for $2,500.
Advocates say the effort, referred to by activists as “Freaky Friday” involves letters sent under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) branding that claim relatives in the United States could face arrest if youths refuse to depart. The American Immigration Lawyers Association alerted attorneys to watch for signs of the program.
ICE denied the allegations, calling them “categorically false.”
“Anti-ICE activists invented the term ‘Freaky Friday’ to spread fear and misinformation,” ICE spokesperson Emily Covington said. She described the offer as a voluntary option to reunite minors with family abroad and said any payment would be issued only after an immigration judge approves a voluntary-departure request. Covington added that DHS and HHS continue work to ensure children’s safety and well-being.
Immigration attorneys say the reports risk confusing children about their rights. “I was very alarmed,” said Maria Miller, a Minnesota immigration lawyer. “These minors have protections under U.S. law. The government cannot take those rights away.”
Under federal policy, children who arrive without a parent or legal guardian are classified as unaccompanied minors. Many seek asylum or qualify for protections under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act and are allowed to remain with relatives or vetted sponsors while their cases proceed.
Between 2021 and 2024, more than 4,000 unaccompanied minors were placed with sponsors in Minnesota, primarily in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Worthington, and Windom, according to federal data. As of Friday, several local attorneys said they had not confirmed any Minnesota youths receiving the letters.
Advocates also fear potential enforcement activity near schools. Erika Zurawski of the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee said the child-focused outreach is “cause for concern” and urged families to seek legal advice before signing documents or accepting payments.
The Anoka-Hennepin School District, the state’s largest with more than 38,000 students, issued an internal memo Friday reminding principals and program directors how to respond if immigration officers appear on campus.
“It was mainly about awareness and reviewing protocols,” district spokesperson Jim Skelly said. “To our knowledge, nothing has occurred at any school site.” He said parents were not formally notified but administrators are prepared to answer questions.