Maya Rao
Reporter
Race and ImmigrationRao wrote for The Press of Atlantic City and The Philadelphia Inquirer before moving to Minnesota in January 2012. She previously covered the federal government for the Star Tribune.
Latest from Maya Rao
Inside Minnesota’s deportation court since Trump took office
The Star Tribune sat in on the majority of the case hearings for detainees at Fort Snelling Immigration Court since late January.
April 30, 2025
As hundreds of immigrants are detained in Minnesota, families struggle with separation
Hearings at the Fort Snelling Immigration Court are filled with jailed men worried about how their wives and children will pay bills and survive without them.
April 28, 2025
She survived the long trek from Venezuela. Then she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
After journeying through the perilous Darién Gap, Miriam Orta eventually found treatment, support and hope with her partner in Minnesota.
April 9, 2025
Immigration detentions of international students expand beyond protesters
Arrest of U international student because of DWI suggests expansion of ICE authority, according to immigration attorney.
April 3, 2025
Second Minnesota university student detained by ICE
Students from Minnesota State University Mankato and the University of Minnesota were detained late last week.
April 1, 2025
‘I’m going crazy': Delays, confusion as ICE moves Minnesota detainees across the country
Minnesota is running out of space to house ICE detainees, so some are ending up in jails in Texas, Louisiana and Colorado.
March 23, 2025
Federal immigration policies upending some Minnesota criminal cases
When ICE intervenes, the agency takes precedence, defendants in criminal cases find.
March 17, 2025
Protesters decry ICE raid at St. Louis Park plant: ‘Our people are afraid to work’
ICE arrested 7 people at HardCoat Inc. last week, immigrant advocates said.
March 6, 2025
A pattern of ‘collateral’ arrests by ICE: Immigrant released from jail tells his story
Details are emerging of people rounded up while ICE searched for someone else. Juan was arrested outside a family’s business.
February 28, 2025
Immigrants arrested by ICE in Rochester granted bond, including Nupá restaurant worker
Attorneys said they had no criminal records.
February 25, 2025
‘I just want to get out of here’: Immigrants make their case in court as ICE detention expands
Amid Trump’s push for mass deportation, ICE detainees in rural Minnesota appear for court hearings that determine who will go free or be sent back.
February 23, 2025
DNA testing links St. Paul man to three rapes since 2023
Additional charges have been filed against 18-year-old Rakai Eugene Davis, who is at large.
February 22, 2025