Minnesota Adoptee Hub Protects Korean Adoptees During Raids

When ICE activity ramped up in Minneapolis this January, a small nonprofit sprang into action to protect one of the city's most vulnerable communities.

The Adoptee Hub serves Korean and transracial adoptees in Minnesota, which has one of the highest concentrations of Korean adoptees in the United States. The volunteer-run organization quickly issued a statement reminding their community to stay vigilant and look out for one another.

"Transracial adoptees often navigate the world at the intersection of race, identity and belonging," the organization wrote on its website. "This reality can sometimes make us more visible or vulnerable."

The nonprofit partnered with the American Civil Liberties Union to host local "Know Your Rights" training classes. These sessions taught adoptees how to protect themselves, set boundaries, and know when to seek support.

"We remain committed to creating spaces that are affirming, safe and grounded in mutual respect," the Adoptee Hub stated. "Let us continue to show up for one another by giving ourselves grace, compassion and solidarity."

But safety work is just one part of what makes this organization special. The Adoptee Hub is best known for something much more joyous: its annual Kimchi Festival.

Each year, the festival brings together a growing crowd to bond over Korean food and culture. The event features cooking classes through the Korean American Women's Association, kimchi cook-offs, and local food trucks serving Korean-style snacks.

The Ripple Effect

For founder Ami Nafzger, kimchi represents the perfect gateway to cultural connection. "It's what you eat every single day," Nafzger told the Sahan Journal. "What better way of understanding the culture that you were born into, but not raised into, through food?"

The festival has created transformative moments for adoptees like Max Halverson, who didn't grow up immersed in Korean culture. "As I've gotten older, I've grown more curious," Halverson said. "So when I met Ami, I thought it would just be a great opportunity for me to make connections within the Korean community."

Beyond festivals and safety trainings, the Adoptee Hub offers native language classes and birth family reunification support year-round. The organization has built a network where adoptees can find both practical help and genuine belonging.

In times of crisis and celebration alike, this small nonprofit proves that community care looks like showing up in whatever way people need most.