immigration

Letter: Stark contrast between church hymn and federal immigration rhetoric

Jul 1, 2026

On June 28, Sunday mass at St. Mary’s Church started with the wonderful hymn, “All Are Welcome (In This Place).” The hymn’s inclusive message that all can safely live—the ending of divisions and where peace and justice meet—is uplifting in and of itself. The hymn and its positive message is in...

Our immigration nightmare

Jan 21, 2026

It is hard to imagine that anyone in the U.S. is being served by the current surge of ICE troops in Minnesota. Was there a more humane way to handle the need for border security? Most certainly, yes. We could have closed the border for a period of time and used the money we spend on ICE troops to...

Vigil held for woman slain by federal agent

Jan 14, 2026

About 50 people reportedly gathered for a candlelight vigil on Wednesday, Jan. 7 after Renee Nicole Good was killed by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis. A massive immigration enforcement action is underway throughout Minnesota. Agents have been reportedly sighted...

Who’s next?

Dec 10, 2025

If you think this is a review of the English rock band The Who and their famous album Who’s Next (1971), I would refer you to the Rolling Stone magazine. This weak attempt at humor leads me to a very non humorous situation and critical review of the ever changing but current policies and...

After sabotaging border security bill, Trump created inhumane, unpopular mess

Sep 24, 2025

In February 2024, the U.S Senate, in a fragile bipartisan attempt, considered proposed legislation called Border Act of 2024. This act was an immigration and border security bill with conditions that presented a ray of hope for immigration reform. By May of 2024, enough Republican senators changed...

Public pot smoking a Pandora’s Box, immigration laws should be followed

Feb 21, 2024

I read the council article about whether or not they should make policy about pot in the park. I question the naivety of some of the council not wanting to take action. Let me give a bit of Lake City history. In 1975 the neighbor of the mayor and his wife, decided after drinking and drugs (pot), to...

Undocumented immigrants deserve dignity

Feb 14, 2024

We wanted to respond to the letter to the editor sent in last week about Minnesota state lawmakers discussing a sanctuary state bill, called the North Star Act discussed in a Star Tribune article titled “Hennepin County, Minneapolis leaders back Minnesota sanctuary state proposal.” We appreciate...

Alarmed at state immigration policy proposal

Feb 7, 2024

I am highly alarmed at the article in the Feb. 4 Star Tribune stating that our Minnesota congress is considering a bill to allow Minnesota to become a sanctuary state. Considering what we see on a daily basis with the border states and sanctuary cities being inundated with illegal immigrants, it...

Immigration story forges an unexpected connection

Apr 1, 2020

Reading and then watching the video of Gabriela Herrera Mateo telling the story of her journey to America and her experiences once she arrived took Dominique Mueller on a journey of her own. Mueller arrived in America as a refugee of the Vietnam War. She said those early struggles aren’t something...

Letter: Student’s story a reminder to be more welcoming

Feb 12, 2020

To the editor: Many thanks to the Lake City Graphic for transcribing the powerful and illuminating story of Lincoln High School student and Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) 2020 Overcoming Adversity, Keeping Strong (OAKS) scholarship awardee, Gabriela Herrera Mateo’s journey from...