business
Inside Annunciation House, the El Paso shelter that’s a first stop for many Minnesota ICE detainees
By Nicolas Scibelli at Sahan Journal
· June 24, 2026
· 13 min read
EL PASO, Texas – At the height of Operation Metro Surge in mid-January, Chachi was detained from his home in south Minneapolis . He was taken to the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building and on the same day, flown to El Paso, his body in shackles.
The 20-year-old Ecuadorian national was held f...
Key takeaway The 20-year-old Ecuadorian national was held for eight days at Camp East Montana, the largest immigration detention facility in the country.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The story of Chachi, a 20-year-old Ecuadorian national from south Minneapolis, highlights the complex and often disjointed process of immigration detention and release. For many Minnesota residents like Chachi, detention can mean sudden and unexpected relocation to facilities like Camp East Montana in Texas, far from family and support networks. The role of Annunciation House in El Paso as a critical stopgap for these individuals, providing shelter and connecting them with local volunteers, underscores the need for robust community support systems in Minnesota as well. As the state continues to grapple with the effects of immigration enforcement, local organizations and volunteers will play a vital role in helping detainees like Chachi navigate the difficult journey back home to their families. The work of Minnesota volunteers who traveled to Texas to assist Chachi and others like him demonstrates the importance of these local connections in ensuring the well-being and safety of immigrant communities.
About this story
Original reporting by Sahan Journal . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Sahan Journal . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: Sahan Journal ·
Reading time: 13 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? EL PASO, Texas – At the height of Operation Metro Surge in mid-January, Chachi was detained from his home in south Minneapolis. He was taken to the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building and on the same day, flown to El Paso, his body in shackles.
The 20-year-old Ecuadorian national was held f...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by Sahan Journal and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Nicolas Scibelli at Sahan Journal. To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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