Recent federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis have created a climate of fear that extends well beyond those directly targeted. Even those with documentation are living with anxiety. Community members report sudden job loss, housing vulnerability, confusion about legal rights, and deep emotional exhaustion. For many African immigrant women already navigating language barriers and economic instability, this moment reopens layered trauma — from displacement and political violence to domestic abuse.
At Phumulani: African Women Against Violence, a current Mary’s Pence grantee, that fear is very tangible. It surfaces in urgent phone calls, trembling voices, and requests for emergency support. Founded by Zimbabwean immigrant and survivor Comfort Dondo, Phumulani is a survivor-led, culturally rooted organization serving African immigrant and African American families impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and intergenerational trauma. Its work centers healing practices grounded in African traditions, collective care, and justice.
In this context, existing forms of violence are growing. “Economic abuse is intensifying,” Dondo explains. “Some partners are using immigration status, employment instability, or even tax threats as tools of control. Survivors are navigating legal intimidation, benefit system vulnerability, and employment insecurity— all at once.” Yet even amid Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis, community bonds have strengthened, mutual aid has expanded, and organizations like Phumulani have stood alongside families to provide culturally grounded care and practical support.
Responding in Real Time
When families began experiencing detentions and sudden separations, Phumulani mobilized immediately. The team reached out to legislators, community partners, and volunteers. Within hours, they raised more than $19,000 to support legal representation, provide care for children, and meet urgent needs for a father whose detention left his family in crisis.
For Comfort, this response reflects something deeper about Minnesota — a lived expression of Ubuntu: we cannot be well if one of us is unwell.
One community member shared their fear of stepping outside after being detained by ICE and transferred to El Paso. Phumulani and its partners worked tirelessly to bring them back home to their children. A colleague stepped in right away, delivering groceries to help the family.
“These acts,” Comfort reflects, “are what have made Minnesota my home. I have experienced a community that understands we cannot be whole if part of us is hurting.”
But Phumulani’s work goes beyond crisis intervention. The organization provides culturally specific housing support, healing circles, advocacy, mental health resources, and community education. For many African immigrant survivors, mainstream systems often lack the language access, cultural competency, and trust necessary for meaningful support. Phumulani exists to close that gap.
“Culturally specific programming,” Comfort explains, “is not simply translating mainstream services. It is embedding cultural values, ancestral wisdom, and collective healing into every aspect of care.” This approach is especially vital during moments of increased enforcement and uncertainty. When fear of systems grows, community-rooted trust becomes the entry point to safety.
A Space for Healing Amid Crisis
Phumulani recently created two important funds: a Survivor Emergency Fund to help cover rent stabilization and legal costs, and a Healing Retreat Scholarship Fund to support participation in their upcoming healing retreat on April 17–19.
“The event is a three-day, culturally grounded healing space costing $750 per participant. We currently have more than five survivors on a waiting list because they cannot afford the cost. We’re planning more healing retreats throughout the year and will share details as they become available. The fact that women still want to come, even in the midst of financial stress, tells me something powerful: healing is not optional. It is necessary,” shared Comfort.
Why This Matters Now
In times of crisis, grassroots organizations are often the first and most trusted responders — yet they are frequently the least resourced. This is why Mary’s Pence prioritizes flexible, trust-based support. Community-rooted leaders understand that needs shift quickly — sometimes overnight. When resources can move fast, organizations can act in real time, guided by those closest to the harm.
Mary’s Pence invests in grassroots leaders like Comfort because lasting change comes from within communities, guided by the wisdom of lived experience.
Minnesota has experienced waves of collective trauma before, particularly after the murder of George Floyd. Public attention surges, then headlines fade. But for families living through these moments, the impact does not disappear when coverage subsides. Healing can take years, sometimes a lifetime.
Sustained, flexible support is not temporary relief. It is the steady investment that allows grassroots organizations like Phumulani to continue accompanying women and families — ensuring that healing remains possible.