Greetings Public Health Colleagues,

Throughout much of January, Minnesota was in the media spotlight and the center of a highly-politized national debate because of Operation Metro Surge, the tactics used by immigration enforcement officials, and the killing of two protesters by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in separate Minneapolis events. We chose to write a letter to the American Public Health Association and other state affiliates to bear witness to what was happening in our community, focusing particularly on the experiences of our members where immigration enforcement activities have been most intense.

By speaking up, our association is not taking a stance on the much broader and more complex issue of immigration policy. We are focusing on the harm caused by ICE tactics in our community and using our voice to put action behind our Statement of Solidarity with Immigrants in Minnesota, our association’s mission to “to create a healthier Minnesota through effective public health practice and engaged citizens,” and our commitment to advancing health equity.

We are not alone in feeling a professional responsibility to speak up. Just a few days ago, a group of Minnesota physicians wrote about “what fear can do to the health of a community" in a commentary piece published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The challenges they name, including patients missing appointments, delaying care, experiencing heightened mental health symptoms, and lacking nutritious food, are consistent with what many members of our association have described and speak to the large and growing needs that we – as a field – are called to respond to in order to protect and improve the public's health.

We have a strong foundation to build upon. We have immense expertise across the state, a culture of volunteerism and civic engagement among our residents, and a strong history of working effectively across sectors to the benefit of the communities we serve. We will need to draw on these strengths as we meet emerging challenges and as we continue to navigate the dramatic changes in funding and federal policy impacting our field. We will also need to remind ourselves that prioritizing our own well-being is not a luxury but a necessity.

As a statewide association, our experiences are not homogenous and the needs of our local communities are not the same. We bring different lived experiences to our association, work in varied professional roles, and have developed unique skills and areas of specialization. And that richness of experience is expertise is what strengthens our message when we stand together to advocate for the health and well-being of all Minnesotans.

In solidarity,

Melanie Ferris
President-Elect
info@mpha.net