The OIDO Is Gone.
No One Is Inspecting Whipple.

Subject: The North STAR Act addresses cooperation — now address inspection Dear [Name],

You have led on Whipple. You have marched outside it, spoken about conditions inside it, and authored legislation to end state cooperation with the enforcement happening within it. That record is why I am coming to you directly.

The federal Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman has been eliminated. No independent government body now has a mandate to enter Whipple, inspect its conditions, and issue public findings. The North STAR Act limits cooperation with ICE — but it does not fill this inspection void.

Minnesota Statute § 241.021 already grants the Commissioner of Corrections authority to inspect all detention facilities in this state. What is needed now is legislation mandating that this authority be exercised — with routine, unannounced inspections of Whipple, including all equipment and infrastructure affecting detainee health and safety.

You have the platform, the district, and the record to carry this. I am asking you to move on it.

Please respond with your position.

In determination,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information] Copy this letter Subject: The North STAR Act addresses cooperation — now address inspection Dear [Name], You have led on Whipple. You have marched outside it, spoken about conditions inside it, and authored legislation to end state cooperation with the enforcement happening within it. That record is why I am coming to you directly. The federal Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman has been eliminated. No independent government body now has a mandate to enter Whipple, inspect its conditions, and issue public findings. The North STAR Act limits cooperation with ICE — but it does not fill this inspection void. Minnesota Statute § 241.021 already grants the Commissioner of Corrections authority to inspect all detention facilities in this state. What is needed now is legislation mandating that this authority be exercised — with routine, unannounced inspections of Whipple, including all equipment and infrastructure affecting detainee health and safety. You have the platform, the district, and the record to carry this. I am asking you to move on it. Please respond with your position. In determination, [Your Name] [Your Contact Information]

Subject: Your 2025 inspection request needs to become a demand Dear Commissioner [Name],

In 2025, you led the effort to have Hennepin County formally request federal permission to inspect the Whipple Building. That request was the right instinct. The situation has since grown more urgent.

The federal Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman — the only independent watchdog with a mandate to investigate conditions in ICE detention — has been eliminated. There is now no government entity with a standing obligation to walk into that facility and report what it finds.

Your earlier request deserves escalation. I am asking you to issue a formal, public demand — not a request — that city and county health, fire, and building safety officials be granted immediate and regular access to Whipple. And I am asking you to call on the full County Board to stand behind it.

The people inside that building are in your jurisdiction.

Please respond with what action you are prepared to take.

In determination,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information] Copy this letter Subject: Your 2025 inspection request needs to become a demand Dear Commissioner [Name], In 2025, you led the effort to have Hennepin County formally request federal permission to inspect the Whipple Building. That request was the right instinct. The situation has since grown more urgent. The federal Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman — the only independent watchdog with a mandate to investigate conditions in ICE detention — has been eliminated. There is now no government entity with a standing obligation to walk into that facility and report what it finds. Your earlier request deserves escalation. I am asking you to issue a formal, public demand — not a request — that city and county health, fire, and building safety officials be granted immediate and regular access to Whipple. And I am asking you to call on the full County Board to stand behind it. The people inside that building are in your jurisdiction. Please respond with what action you are prepared to take. In determination, [Your Name] [Your Contact Information]

Subject: The door is open — now fight for what happens when you leave Dear [Name / Title],

The Minneapolis Area Synod's legal action proved that moral authority, backed by courage, can open locked doors. Many of you now have the right to walk into the Whipple Building and sit with the people held inside.

But when you leave, no inspector follows. The federal Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman — the only body mandated to investigate abuse and unsafe conditions in ICE detention — has been eliminated. There is no government entity currently required to examine what happens inside those walls between your visits.

Your traditions do not permit you to look away from that. I am asking each of you to act from within your own platform:

• A collective pastoral letter signed across denominations, addressed to the Governor, demanding independent inspection authority.
• A joint request for a meeting with the Governor's office specifically on this issue.
• A public witness outside Whipple that makes oversight — not only accompaniment — the message.

The people you visit need you visible on this, not only present with them.

Please respond with what action you are prepared to take.

In determination,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information] Copy this letter Subject: The door is open — now fight for what happens when you leave Dear [Name / Title], The Minneapolis Area Synod's legal action proved that moral authority, backed by courage, can open locked doors. Many of you now have the right to walk into the Whipple Building and sit with the people held inside. But when you leave, no inspector follows. The federal Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman — the only body mandated to investigate abuse and unsafe conditions in ICE detention — has been eliminated. There is no government entity currently required to examine what happens inside those walls between your visits. Your traditions do not permit you to look away from that. I am asking each of you to act from within your own platform: • A collective pastoral letter signed across denominations, addressed to the Governor, demanding independent inspection authority. • A joint request for a meeting with the Governor's office specifically on this issue. • A public witness outside Whipple that makes oversight — not only accompaniment — the message. The people you visit need you visible on this, not only present with them. Please respond with what action you are prepared to take. In determination, [Your Name] [Your Contact Information]