St. Paul & Minneapolis BDA

03/28/2026

Join us!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GfhuUYYj8/?mibextid=wwXIfr

03/27/2026

https://anoperatheatre.org/operacaptions

[opera captions] by Jay Afrisando directed by Sequoia Hauck We tend to live within the narrative of sound; this is a production that explores how sound is felt - with captions as our guide.[opera captions] is a music-theater-film-translation-poetry performance that reimagines what captions as an ......

02/14/2026

01/30/2026

Update 1/28/25:

We're finally home!!!
We arrived at Minneapolis airport Wednesday evening.

Megan, who Ike knows through rugby, picked us up and drove us home from the airport.

Ike is so relieved and grateful to be home and back to his life. All of which has been made possible by everyone coming together and doing what they can and it has made all the difference.
The amount of love, care and support for Ike has been tremendous and we are both immeasurably grateful!

Apologies for not sharing the many updates. This experience has been an all-consuming whirlwind. Please do not mistake the lack of recent updates with a lack of gratitude. Nothing could be farther from the truth .
This could not of happened without all of you.

Much Love,
Helene and Ike

01/23/2026

Update 1/23/26 from Helene:

Ike has been released!!!
I was able to pick him up last night around 6:30pm.

Considering the horrible ordeal he had been through, he’s happy to be out, so grateful for prayers and the donations.

He had no idea about all the support and people standing with him. So grateful for everyone’s help to relieve many worries he had when waiting to be released.

Eternally grateful for everyone love, support and prayers!!

01/22/2026

1/21/26 update from Helene:

I went down to the bond office at the ICE office and attempted to pay the bond; however, the information on the money order (for in-person payments) had some errors and timing did not work as they are closed for lunch between 11-1:30p and after 2:45p is a no-go.

I went back to fix the money order error and I have it ready for tomorrow at 9am.

Hopefully they can process everything and send an authorization for a release at Montana East (5 miles away and where he is being held). From then it’ll be a sit and wait for them to process Ike out - we don’t know how long that will take - hopefully the same day.

As soon as there is info, we’ll share.

Thank you so much everyone. I want you to know that it has been pivotal that I have been able to be down here in El Paso this week to make sure that Ike is able to get bonded and released out. If I was not able to pay the bond in person, I think it would be taking a lot longer for him to get released because there’s been so many issues with the online payment system.

By being here (in person), I am able to bring the cashiers check physically and bypass the online computer payment system.

So thank you so much for making it possible that I am able to be here.

Sending lots of love and hope to everyone!

01/21/2026

Registration is Open for March 7th, 2026 Deaf Iftar! Get your tickets today!
Flyer ID: White flyer with green leaves on the top with lanterns, stars and moons hanging.
Words: Save the Date, Deaf Iftar, 2026
Celebration CODAs, PODAs, and SODAs.
This year, our panel will focus on CODAs.
When? Saturday March 7th, 2026
John P. Murzyn Hall
530 Mill Street NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Registration is open now: QRCODE
https://mdmc.affnetz.com/e/10529/deaf-iftar-2026

MDMC logo on the left and below the QR code are colorful flowers with green plants.

01/19/2026

Good evening!
Here is an update from Helene:

Ike was able to have another detainee call me. It seems that there is a communication app that is used with the detainees and I have been able to text Ike. What a relief!

Ike is doing ok and is very ready to leave. Ike is aware of the situation regarding the bond payment tomorrow.

I will be going to El Paso tonight, paying bond tomorrow and hopefully meet Ike to get him processed out of the facility. We hope that he is able to leave tomorrow (Tuesday), but likely on Wednesday.

After he is released, he will be able to take a good shower, clean clothes and make sure he gets his favorites: buffalo chicken wings, french fries and some beer. 🤣

Love you all!!
I can’t wait to share with him all of your love and support! You have all been making this fight possible! And to bring him home! ❤️❤️ There is no way to express our gratitude! 🤟🏼🤟🏼🤟🏼

As for offering resources - thank you for the many generous offers. I have been making a list and I (or someone - MN BDA, Deaf Equity, or Paul) will get back to you all on that.

I am not using social media right now, so if you have questions/resources, please reach out to the MN BDA (Cookie), Deaf Equity or Paul. They will relay your information to me.

I, again, thank you from the bottom of my heart ! 💛

01/17/2026

Ike’s bond hearing was called today, and he was granted bond. If ICE does not request an appeal. The bond will be paid next week after the long holiday weekend. Once the bond is paid then ICE will process him out. I do not know how long that takes. The most important thing is making sure Ike is back home as soon as possible. Ike and I will share more details about next steps at that time.

“I cannot thank everyone enough for their love and support, and all their efforts in sharing resources.” Your prayers, your letters—you have all been so amazing, and Ike is going to be blown away when he realizes everything that’s been happening here.

01/12/2026

https://c.org/YFn6DX45YW

Release Ike Muringai from El Paso immigration detention

07/20/2025

Kim, BlackDeaf woman in a yellow shirt, stands in front of several booths and encourages you to come to the Community event!