Madison’s Centro Hispano is “heartbroken and outraged” by the continued events in Minnesota perpetrated by federal immigration officials, according to a statement released by the non-proft located on Madison’s South Side. The organization is highlighting its Immigrant Defense Fund to provide resources and legal support for those impacted.
For almost 43 years, Centro has been an integral to the lives of many Latinos in Madison, Dane County, and beyond. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol have had an increased presence in Minnesota since December 2025. In that time, they have shot three people in Minneapolis, two of whom died, the most recent on Jan. 24, when Alex Pretti was shot 10 times by agents.
“The attacks are scary, infuriating, painful and anxiety-inducing. In community, we commit to taking care of each other, and it is devastating that in community we are under attack,” Centro Hispano said in a statement. “Instead of being applauded for standing up to terror, those standing courageously are violently being silenced.”
Centro proactively created a defense fund in 2025 in anticipation of increased need for immigrants. It is believed that immigrants would experience more crackdowns in enforcement from ICE under President Trump’s second term.
“We always commit to coalition building and narrative change, but most importantly, Centro commits to abolishing harm and disillusionment. We join the voices of all of those across this country, from faith leaders to community organizations, calling for an end to cruelty and abuse of authority and hate in all its forms,” Centro said.
The Immigrant Legal Defense Fund helps those who cannot afford immigration-related representation and emergency financial support. The fund operates in a wrap-around care model to help meet new financial pressures like food, housing, clothing and utilities that may crop up unexpectedly in the immigration process.
For legal support, the Immigrant Defense Fund helps to cover the costs of attorney fees, bonds and court costs.
It launched in January 2025 and disbursed $1.6 million by the end of the year. Its fundraising goal is $5 million and relies on the generosity of community members to work in solidarity to support those facing immigration challenges.
