When immigration enforcement isolates people, community presence becomes a form of protection.

The Minnesota Interfaith Coalition on Immigration brings together faith communities across the state to advocate for humane immigration policies and to accompany immigrants through moments of fear, uncertainty, and risk. Their work is grounded not in ideology, but in relationship.

At its core, ICOM is about refusing to let people face harm alone.

What the Minnesota Interfaith Coalition on Immigration Does

ICOM operates through a network of congregations and community partners, using collective presence as both care and accountability.

  • Policy Advocacy
    Advocating for humane immigration policies at the local and state level.

  • Accompaniment & Community Presence
    Standing with individuals and families during immigration proceedings and enforcement-related moments.

  • Education & Mobilization
    Helping faith communities understand the realities of immigration systems and how to respond with care rather than fear.

Why Accompaniment Matters

Immigration systems rely heavily on isolation. When people are separated from community, oversight disappears and coercion becomes easier.

Accompaniment changes that dynamic. When others are present, watching, and bearing witness, power behaves differently. Decisions slow down. Harm becomes harder to ignore.

ICOM’s work restores a measure of safety simply by ensuring that people are not invisible.

Why This Matters for Consent Culture

Consent requires safety, support, and the ability to seek help without judgment.

Faith-based accompaniment does not demand compliance or gratitude. It offers presence. That presence creates space for people to ask questions, assert boundaries, and make decisions without being rushed or intimidated.

In that way, ICOM’s work aligns deeply with consent culture: it prioritizes dignity over control and care over coercion.

Rooted in Solidarity, Not Conversion

ICOM’s work is not about recruitment or moral authority. It is about showing up consistently, quietly, and with accountability to the people being supported.

That kind of solidarity builds trust where institutions have failed.

Learn More & Support

Visit mnicom.org to learn more or get involved.

Consent culture is sustained not only by laws and policies, but by people willing to stand beside one another. The Minnesota Interfaith Coalition on Immigration does exactly that.

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About the Author: Gareth Redfern-Shaw

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Gareth is the founder of Consent Culture, a platform focused on consent, kink, ethical non-monogamy, relationship dynamics, and the work of creating safer spaces. His work emphasizes meaningful, judgment-free conversations around communication, harm reduction, and accountability in practice, not just in name. Through Consent Culture, he aims to inspire curiosity, build trust, and support a safer, more connected world.

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