Recent content from Maya Rao
He grew up legally in Minnesota, but immigration law gap may one day force student to leave
The conundrum illustrates the obstacles many legal immigrants face seeking a path to long-term stability in the United States
Two men plead not guilty for alleged role in freezing deaths of Indian family at border
The pair are accused of conspiring to transport undocumented immigrants into the U.S.
Two men indicted in case of four Indian nationals who froze to death at border
The superseding indictment includes more extensive criminal allegations against Steve Shand, who had been scheduled to face trial in Minnesota, and Harshkumar Patel.
St. Croix County pauses refugee resettlement
The vote follows months of controversy over plans to bring 75 refugees to the Chippewa Valley.
Refugee resettlement in western Wisconsin sparks backlash
"The whole process has just been horrible," says one county supervisor.
Hennepin County Attorney's Office to ease path for immigrants to receive crime victim visas
Proponents say the new policy will make communities safer.
Minnesota court interpreters go back to work
After a seven week work stoppage, interpreters say it's time to collaborate with the judiciary in seeking more compensation.
Minnesota letter campaign aims to support political prisoners in Russia
Russian-Americans in Minnesota are trying to channel anger over Putin's Russia into a letter-writing campaign to political prisoners there.
Migrants face tough competition for cash day jobs on one Minneapolis corner
Without work permits, the new arrivals hustle for work even as Minnesota's official labor market faces a shortage.
'It makes me stronger': How one Minneapolis family navigated two wars
Mohamed and Olena Khuder last year resettled in Minnesota from Ukraine.
Minnesota court interpreters support continuing work stoppage long term
State Sen. Ron Latz plans to hold a legislative hearing.
Minnesota is a top destination for migrants accepting free tickets to leave New York
The state ranks fifth in places asylum-seeking migrants went after landing in New York City.
State asks Minnesota court interpreters to keep working without pay resolution
Certified interpreters threatened to stop work on Monday.
Minnesota court interpreters threaten work stoppage, calling for higher pay
The interpreters sent a letter to State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba saying that a new compensation policy is "entirely unacceptable."
Number of refugees resettling in Minnesota rising, and more on way
More than 1,500 resettled in the Gopher State in the 2023 fiscal year, almost triple the amount from 2022.
Disadvantaged homeowners in Minneapolis get help paying for diseased tree removal
The Park Board says it's still seeking money for people whose trees were removed before 2022.
New Minnesota law will ban employers from asking a job candidate's salary history
Advocates say the law that takes effect Jan. 1 will close the pay gap for women and people of color.
Minnesota Ukrainians worry what's next in war amid faltering aid
Multibillion-dollar aid packages for the country from Congress and the European Union have recently faltered.
Recent migrants fill a third of Hennepin County family homeless shelter system
As Ecuadorians come to the U.S. seeking asylum, the shelter system is turning people away.
Lawsuit: North Mpls. residents claim bias in unfair housing code enforcement by city
The suit, filed Tuesday in Hennepin County, claims enforcement is lax, especially for rental properties, in areas with high populations of people of color.
Minnesota leads nation in new effort to welcome refugees through private sponsor groups
The state already is home to 10 private sponsor circles in the new Welcome Corps program.
Minnesotans gather to show support for Israel, Palestinians
Two Jewish organizations held distinctly contrasting remembrances for those lost in the Hamas attack and Israel's response.
'Bless this water': Indigenous Peoples' Day ceremony honors creek in Golden Valley
A water ceremony honored the west metro creek known to Indigenous people as Ȟaȟa Wakpadan.
Authorities won't deport St. Paul resident back to Mexico — but won't renew his work permit
The conundrum is one many unauthorized immigrants could be facing, their attorneys say.
Federal prison in Waseca faces lawsuit claiming Muslim woman forced to remove hijab for photo ID
The lawsuit alleges that the prison made her carry an ID displaying the picture.
Unauthorized immigrants eligible for Minnesota driver's licenses now
The law went into effect Sunday. Here's what applicants need to know.
Selling for survival: Migrants peddle fruit on Twin Cities streets
Recent arrivals, mostly from Ecuador, skirt city regulations to make a living as they apply for asylum.
Second man charged in high-profile Minnetonka carjacking
The August carjacking, which took place in the front yard of a residential home, riled the Minnetonka community.
New census data is the deepest look yet at Minnesota's racial and ethnic diversity
Community leaders and policymakers hope the new detail will help them better serve subgroups.
Through the eyes of a refugee: Minnesota State Fair inspires awe
Some Minnesotans are taking Ukrainian refugees to the fair this year for a taste of our state's traditions.
'I felt desperate': Journey from Ecuador to Minnesota marked by poverty, exploitation and hope
Fort Snelling immigration court sees 12-fold surge in Ecuadorian cases since 2018.
Two years later, a renewed push to help Afghan evacuees gain citizenship
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and others have introduced legislation.
How far does Supreme Court decision on web design for gay couples reach in Minnesota?
Groups in the state are still parsing out the effects on Minnesota's law prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations
Families, community call for independent investigation of crash that killed 5
Muslim leader says they want to know more about circumstances surrounding the collision.
Reckless drivers killed their loved ones. Families say such drivers aren't punished enough
The horror of Derrick Thompson's crash that killed five in Minneapolis has rekindled outrage over those who kill with vehicles.
After hitting pedestrian in California, Derrick Thompson complained he was charged too harshly
Depositions in a civil case show how Thompson's reckless driving left a wake of destruction long before the crash that killed five women in Minneapolis.
Results of federal investigation into Minneapolis police met with hope, skepticism
The question on many people's minds is whether the eventual consent decree will prompt meaningful change.
Record Minnesota immigration court backlog leads to long waits and frustration
With more than 23,300 pending cases, immigrants often wait years for a decision.
Customs and Border Protection app for asylum seekers jammed by heavy use
Russian hoping to reach Minnesota has tried to schedule an appointment for nearly two weeks.
War in Sudan hits hard for immigrants who now live in Minnesota
A group gathered Saturday in Minneapolis, sharing stories of family and loved ones scrambling for safety in Sudan.
Four things Minnesota Somalis want to see from the Legislature this year
Somali community leaders marked first Somali Day at the Minnesota State Capitol on Tuesday
Minneapolis geologists' plans to explore for gold in Black Hills raising environmental concerns
The company has emphasized it is only exploring for gold and that its proposals do not involve mining. Environmentalists aren't buying it.
Muslims express confidence, concerns in the wake of Minneapolis mosque arsons
Worshipers at both mosques reflected a mix of fear and resolve.
Rescue of migrants shows rise in Minnesota, N.D. border crossings
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports significant spike this year, compared with two previous years.
Antiwar Russians fleeing home finding their way to Minnesota
Many of the asylum seekers from Russia are coming into the United States through Mexico.
Racial justice advocates offer mixed reviews of Minneapolis policing agreement
They were still absorbing the ramifications of the 144-page document and asking: Did it go far enough?
Jobs mean community to Ukrainian refugees in Minnesota
A Home Depot warehouse provides a lifeline to Minnesota group who fled war and are now starting work.
A new generation of Indigenous leaders takes inspiration from those at Wounded Knee
Facing a series of challenges, "the guidance that those Wounded Knee veterans gave to us was to never give up, to always do the right thing and stand up for the people even if it's hard," one said.
March marks 50 years since Wounded Knee occupation
Hundreds walked to Wounded Knee from four directions to recall the work of their ancestors who brought attention to treaty violations and demands for Indigenous rights.
Wounded Knee remembered: 1973 occupation led to resurgence of Native voice
50th anniversary of 71-day standoff to be commemorated at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation on Feb. 24-27
Roseville couple's relatives rescued from the rubble of Turkey earthquake
Turkish American Association of Minnesota is holding a fundraiser and collecting donations of goods on Friday in Chanhassen.
Normal refugee channels slowed dramatically, frustrating local immigrants with family in peril
While Ukrainian and Afghan immigrants are expedited in temporary programs, many others around the world wait.
Two arrested in India in deaths of family found frozen at Canada border a year ago
The two men are accused of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, attempt at culpable homicide, human trafficking and criminal conspiracy, an Indian official told the Canadian Press.
On MLK day, Twin Cities speakers urge 'keep moving forward' in justice fight, reparations push
Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, gave the keynote address at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Monday morning.
George Floyd family fund accepting grant applications to help businesses
The grants are meant to help restore the struggling 38th and Chicago neighborhood in south Minneapolis.
Highly skilled back home, refugees in Minnesota try to find fulfilling work
Local groups aim to help recent immigrants from Ukraine and Afghanistan find skilled jobs as the state grapples with a worker shortage.
Somali president draws crowds for Minneapolis speech
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was expected to address the fight against terrorist group al-Shabaab and a food crisis in Somalia.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to visit Minneapolis on Thursday
He is expected to address the fight against terrorist group al-Shabab and a food crisis in Somalia.
Only 18 freshmen benefit in first year of U's Native American Promise Tuition Program
Some tribal leaders say the program is a promising first step, but they hope it will eventually include far more Native students.
Helped by others decades ago, Minnesotan now rescues Ukrainian refugees
Aswar Rahman, 28, started a nonprofit to bring Ukrainian refugees to the state and connect them with locals who sponsor them.
After fighting federal charges, man faces FBI allegations he took $5.9 million in meal fraud case
Haji Salad spent four years in jail on discredited FBI sex trafficking charges before he was federally indicted again this year in a massive meal fraud case.
Mpls. areas hit by crime want say with candidates, not slogans
Some leaders in the areas hit hardest by violence say they wish candidates would spend more time engaging them and residents instead of using public safety as a flashpoint in campaign ads.
Ukrainian mom keeps daughter safe in Minneapolis as husband fights Russians at home
Nataliia Kuchma, a doctor in her home country, landed in Minnesota with just two suitcases for her and her 5-year-old girl.
'You don't really win': Don Samuels reflects on suing Minneapolis for more police
With the lawsuit finished, Samuels vowed to continue speaking on public safety.
One Minnesota interpreter's tumultuous year: Facing a tsunami of need after Afghan evacuation
Roman Khan settled in Minnesota years ago after serving the U.S. military as an interpreter. Now he helps evacuees start over here, while trying to get his family out of Afghanistan.
Efforts underway in Minnesota to raise money to help Pakistani flood victims
Local organizers are encouraging donations to Helping Hand for Relief and Development, Islamic Relief USA and the Pakistan-based Edhi Foundation.
Still awaiting citizenship, Minnesota's frustrated 'Dreamers' push forward
Ten years after the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program began, residents are mentally exhausted by uncertainty.
Minnesota barbers, hairstylists get training to support clients' mental health needs
The Confess Project held a training session on Monday in Minneapolis, in hopes of expanding outreach to the Black community.