Eritrean refugee mother detained under Operation PARRIS, released after green card approval
Jan 9, 2026·Location: Minnesota
Country of origin: Eritrea

An Eritrean single mother of three with a pending green card application was detained during Operation PARRIS operations beginning January 9, 2026. During a five-hour interview with USCIS officers, she was questioned about her application materials and reasons for fleeing her country. Her attorney reported that the USCIS officer conducting the interview stated he had no knowledge of why she was detained or authority regarding her detention. She was released a few days after arrest and returned to Minnesota, and her green card application was approved while she was in detention.
Sources
- Refugees relive the trauma they fled as ICE targets them in Minnesota
NPR·Feb 2, 2026·archived copy
- New federal operation targets Minnesota refugees with legal status
sahanjournal.com·Jan 21, 2026·archived copy
- Minnesota refugees with legal status are being detained in sweeping operation
www2.startribune.com·Jan 21, 2026·archived copy
- 5,600 Green Card applicants in Minnesota targeted through Operation PARRIS
themorningsun.com·Jan 20, 2026·archived copy
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