Elizabeth Shockman
@eshockmanwrites.bsky.social
Journalist at MPR News, reporting on K-12 education. Author of "Behind the Red Velvet Curtain: An American Ballerina in Russia." Parent. Minnesotan.
Pinned
Behind the Red Velvet Curtain: An American Ballerina in Russia
This book an unflinching, complex, and compassionate true tale of the first American ballerina to sign a contract with the Bolshoi Ballet Theater in Moscow, Russia. The narrative is drawn from mor...
rowman.com
My book is out today! "Behind the Red Velvet Curtain" took me 12 years to report and write. You can request it at the library, buy online or at Subtext or come get a signed copy at The Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis next month! rowman.com/ISBN/9781538...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
BREAKING: The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
DHS has requested expedited deportation proceedings against family of Liam Conejo Ramos
The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
www.mprnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 2:17 AM
BREAKING: The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
public radio and journalism as a whole is a hard field to be in rn but public radio newsrooms across the country have been sending lunch to my colleagues and i on a weekly basis (at least!!!) over the last month and i find that so heartening
February 5, 2026 at 6:21 PM
public radio and journalism as a whole is a hard field to be in rn but public radio newsrooms across the country have been sending lunch to my colleagues and i on a weekly basis (at least!!!) over the last month and i find that so heartening
These 2 kids detained last week were brought back to MN today. But school officials say many others from the Columbia Heights district are missing. They're not sure if they're in ICE detention or have moved away with their families. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
‘I don’t have words’: 2 more kids from Liam Conejo Ramos’ Columbia Heights school taken into ICE custody
The children were taken into ICE custody after their mother was detained at a court appointment. School leaders say the mother asked them to bring the kids to the detention center because there were n...
www.mprnews.org
February 5, 2026 at 12:07 AM
These 2 kids detained last week were brought back to MN today. But school officials say many others from the Columbia Heights district are missing. They're not sure if they're in ICE detention or have moved away with their families. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Two children from Liam Ramos' school who were detained by ICE have been released and are back in MN with their mother. Their Columbia Heights principal, who had to deliver the kids to Whipple last week (as described below), picked them up from the airport. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
‘I don’t have words’: 2 more kids from Liam Conejo Ramos’ Columbia Heights school taken into ICE custody
The children were taken into ICE custody after their mother was detained at a court appointment. School leaders say the mother asked them to bring the kids to the detention center because there were n...
www.mprnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Two children from Liam Ramos' school who were detained by ICE have been released and are back in MN with their mother. Their Columbia Heights principal, who had to deliver the kids to Whipple last week (as described below), picked them up from the airport. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Government removes “this job sucks" lawyer. Via Reuters
US Justice Department removes lawyer who told judge in immigration case 'this job sucks'
The U.S. Justice Department has removed a government lawyer from an assignment in Minnesota after she told a federal judge "this job sucks" and immigration authorities had failed to comply with court ...
www.reuters.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Government removes “this job sucks" lawyer. Via Reuters
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
I think one thing people outside Minnesota don't understand is that after Good and Pretti were killed by feds while observing, the most normal people you could imagine have made peace with the fact that they could be next, and they are still out there because they say it's the right thing to do.
“If I am killed doing this, throw my body at the White House, martyr the shit out of me & raise hell. Do not be sad. Do not think I would do anything differently. I would do it over & over again — this is too important to sit down & shut up and not do anything.” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved
After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.
www.mprnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 4:30 PM
I think one thing people outside Minnesota don't understand is that after Good and Pretti were killed by feds while observing, the most normal people you could imagine have made peace with the fact that they could be next, and they are still out there because they say it's the right thing to do.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Staff at the Center for Victims of Torture said that some conditions their clients face in the United States would qualify them for their services had they happened overseas. That includes clients who were recently detained by federal agents.
Asylum-seekers at the Center for Victims of Torture say ICE reminds them of what they escaped
The torture rehabilitation clinic has pivoted to helping people process trauma from Operation Metro Surge.
www.mprnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Staff at the Center for Victims of Torture said that some conditions their clients face in the United States would qualify them for their services had they happened overseas. That includes clients who were recently detained by federal agents.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
“If I am killed doing this, throw my body at the White House, martyr the shit out of me & raise hell. Do not be sad. Do not think I would do anything differently. I would do it over & over again — this is too important to sit down & shut up and not do anything.” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved
After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.
www.mprnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 3:45 PM
“If I am killed doing this, throw my body at the White House, martyr the shit out of me & raise hell. Do not be sad. Do not think I would do anything differently. I would do it over & over again — this is too important to sit down & shut up and not do anything.” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
"The Trump administration has claimed the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua had taken over the building. But new documents make no mention of the gang and reveal federal agents had information about “illegal aliens unlawfully occupying apartments." propublica.org/article/chic...
The Real Story Behind the Midnight Immigration Raid on a Chicago Apartment Building
The Trump administration has claimed the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua had taken over the building. But new documents make no mention of the gang and reveal federal agents had information about “ille...
propublica.org
February 4, 2026 at 3:50 PM
"The Trump administration has claimed the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua had taken over the building. But new documents make no mention of the gang and reveal federal agents had information about “illegal aliens unlawfully occupying apartments." propublica.org/article/chic...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Most of the footage you see from ICE observers in Minnesota comes from the core cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. I talked to observers in the northern suburbs, who say they're taking on the same mission in very different conditions. (1)
share.google/ei9giIFLsuEJ...
share.google/ei9giIFLsuEJ...
Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved
After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.
share.google
February 4, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Most of the footage you see from ICE observers in Minnesota comes from the core cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. I talked to observers in the northern suburbs, who say they're taking on the same mission in very different conditions. (1)
share.google/ei9giIFLsuEJ...
share.google/ei9giIFLsuEJ...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Minnesota’s Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz ruled, almost immediately, that ICE could not move the two men out of Minnesota. He gave the federal government until Friday to provide an explanation for their actions.
A federal judge ordered the release of two Venezuelan men accused of assaulting a federal immigration officer last month outside a north Minneapolis duplex.
But they never made it outside the St. Paul courthouse. ICE detained them again, without explanation, after the hearing.
But they never made it outside the St. Paul courthouse. ICE detained them again, without explanation, after the hearing.
Federal judge orders release of two men in ICE shooting charged with assaulting immigration agents
Defense attorneys cited photos in challenging the government’s account of when the agent fired a shot that wounded the fleeing suspect.
www.startribune.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:56 AM
Minnesota’s Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz ruled, almost immediately, that ICE could not move the two men out of Minnesota. He gave the federal government until Friday to provide an explanation for their actions.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
I just got off the phone with Elizabeth's dad...she and her mom were freed tonight! Updated story: sahanjournal.com/education/co...
February 4, 2026 at 3:50 AM
I just got off the phone with Elizabeth's dad...she and her mom were freed tonight! Updated story: sahanjournal.com/education/co...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
A vast majority of Republicans still support President Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown, which led to the killing of two protesters in Minneapolis last month, new polls show. But a small, and growing, share of Republicans now say that enforcement has gone too far, the polls reveal.
Polls Show Strong G.O.P. Support for Trump on Immigration
A small, but growing, share of Republicans say that enforcement has gone too far, after the killing of two Minneapolis protesters.
nyti.ms
February 4, 2026 at 12:25 PM
A vast majority of Republicans still support President Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown, which led to the killing of two protesters in Minneapolis last month, new polls show. But a small, and growing, share of Republicans now say that enforcement has gone too far, the polls reveal.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
A federal judge and two government lawyers expressed exasperation Tuesday with the Department of Homeland Security’s repeated failure to comply with court orders to release people whom federal agents arrested during the Trump Administration’s ongoing immigration crackdown.
ICE attorney to judge: ‘This job sucks’
A federal judge admonished DHS for repeatedly defying court orders to release detainees, as government lawyers described widespread noncompliance during Minnesota’s immigration crackdown.
www.mprnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 12:56 PM
A federal judge and two government lawyers expressed exasperation Tuesday with the Department of Homeland Security’s repeated failure to comply with court orders to release people whom federal agents arrested during the Trump Administration’s ongoing immigration crackdown.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Judge Jerry Blackwell was one of the Derek Chauvin prosecutors. @mprnews.org reporter Riham Feshir wrote a terrific profile of him in 2021.
www.mprnews.org/story/2021/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2021/0...
February 4, 2026 at 3:02 AM
Judge Jerry Blackwell was one of the Derek Chauvin prosecutors. @mprnews.org reporter Riham Feshir wrote a terrific profile of him in 2021.
www.mprnews.org/story/2021/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2021/0...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Update: @eshockmanwrites.bsky.social reports that Elizabeth and her mom were released from ICE detention this evening.
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
February 4, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Update: @eshockmanwrites.bsky.social reports that Elizabeth and her mom were released from ICE detention this evening.
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
An 11-year-old girl from Columbia Heights remains in ICE detention at the Dilley, Texas facility — where measles cases have been reported — sparking concern among family, community members and advocates.
Columbia Heights girl, 11, remains in ICE detention in Texas during measles outbreak
Elizabeth Zuna Caisaguano was detained nearly a month ago with her mother on their way to school in Columbia Heights, the same district as 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos. A measles outbreak at the deten...
www.mprnews.org
February 3, 2026 at 11:23 PM
An 11-year-old girl from Columbia Heights remains in ICE detention at the Dilley, Texas facility — where measles cases have been reported — sparking concern among family, community members and advocates.
“They were just living their life going through the process as it was intended to be gone through,” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Columbia Heights girl, 11, remains in ICE detention in Texas during measles outbreak
Elizabeth Zuna Caisaguano was detained nearly a month ago with her mother on their way to school in Columbia Heights, the same district as 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos. A measles outbreak at the deten...
www.mprnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 1:41 AM
“They were just living their life going through the process as it was intended to be gone through,” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
If federal actions targeting pediatric health systems providing this type of care remain unchanged, come Feb. 27, Children's Minnesota will temporarily pause treatment like prescribing puberty blockers and hormones to patients under 18.
Children’s Minnesota to pause some pediatric gender health services
Gender-affirming care for transgender youth remains legal in Minnesota, but the hospital says it will pause prescribing puberty-suppressing medications and pubertal hormones to patients under the age ...
www.mprnews.org
February 3, 2026 at 9:38 PM
If federal actions targeting pediatric health systems providing this type of care remain unchanged, come Feb. 27, Children's Minnesota will temporarily pause treatment like prescribing puberty blockers and hormones to patients under 18.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell spent more than half the money he raised in his campaign for Minnesota governor last year buying copies of his autobiography.
Mike Lindell's campaign for governor is buying boatloads of Mike Lindell autobiographies • Minnesota Reformer
Mike Lindell’s memoir, “What Are the Odds? From Crack Addict to CEO,” has enjoyed a new surge of sales since he announced a run for governor late last year. Who’s buying the book, which details his ad...
minnesotareformer.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:24 PM
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell spent more than half the money he raised in his campaign for Minnesota governor last year buying copies of his autobiography.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
A manager for the Immigrant Defense Network told MPR News that back in November, 2,500 people were trained as constitutional observers. Now, the total is nearly 30,000 trained observers in 77 of Minnesota's 87 counties.
Nearly 30,000 Minnesotans trained as constitutional observers
The Immigrant Defense Network works with more than 100 organizations to help train constitutional observers. At the end of November, there were 2,500 trained observers. That number has soared as more ...
www.mprnews.org
February 3, 2026 at 3:03 PM
A manager for the Immigrant Defense Network told MPR News that back in November, 2,500 people were trained as constitutional observers. Now, the total is nearly 30,000 trained observers in 77 of Minnesota's 87 counties.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Some important context for anyone writing about that Texas special election shocker
February 2, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Some important context for anyone writing about that Texas special election shocker
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
The Columbia Heights school district canceled classes Monday after what school officials are calling a “credible threat.” The district didn’t release further details about the nature of the threat. It said the move to cancel classes was out of an abundance of caution.
Columbia Heights schools closed Monday due to ‘credible threat’
The Columbia Heights school district canceled classes Monday after what school officials are calling a “credible threat.” The district didn’t release further details about the nature of the threat. It...
www.mprnews.org
February 2, 2026 at 2:24 PM
The Columbia Heights school district canceled classes Monday after what school officials are calling a “credible threat.” The district didn’t release further details about the nature of the threat. It said the move to cancel classes was out of an abundance of caution.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
“We didn’t come here with bad intentions,” Segundo said. “We came here to work. Now we are afraid to stay. We’re afraid to go outside.” www.startribune.com/tired-of-liv...
Tired of living in fear, this family decided to deport themselves
An immigrant family from Ecuador said they felt like prisoners in their Minneapolis home.
www.startribune.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:27 PM
“We didn’t come here with bad intentions,” Segundo said. “We came here to work. Now we are afraid to stay. We’re afraid to go outside.” www.startribune.com/tired-of-liv...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
1/ BREAKING: Government documents reviewed by ProPublica identify Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa, 43, and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez, 35, as the two who fired their weapons during the deadly encounter with Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...
www.propublica.org
February 1, 2026 at 9:12 PM
1/ BREAKING: Government documents reviewed by ProPublica identify Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa, 43, and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez, 35, as the two who fired their weapons during the deadly encounter with Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.