Protests over two immigration enforcement-involved shootings have highlighted the agitators organizing against federal agents on the ground in Minnesota, and the organization Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Accíon Latina, or COPAL Education Fund, is a major player.

COPAL describes itself as a group that works “to improve the quality of life of Latine families.” It also hosts a hotline for people to call when spotting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at work. The group also set up the Immigrant Defense Network, which trains “legal observers” to watch and report ICE.

The New York Times described COPAL as being “on the front lines of anti-ICE operations.” Francisco Segovia, COPAL’s executive director, described the confrontations with ICE as like “being, maybe, in the middle of a civil war.”

Protests of immigration enforcement have continued in the Twin Cities region following recent fatal shootings by federal agents of protesters. Anti-ICE agitators also invaded a church in St. Paul to stage a protest on Jan. 18.

An ICE agent recently shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, after her car appeared to make contact with the agent. In response, anti-ICE agitators, who chanted “Justice for Renee Good!”, invaded Cities Church in St. Paul mid-service, allegedly separating parents from their children.

Then on Saturday, U.S. Border Patrol agents shot Alex Pretti, also 37, as he filmed officers with a cellphone and appeared to intervene with law enforcement officers.

COPAL coordinates anti-ICE actions, and it has received funding from various sources, including your tax dollars.

A “handbook for constitutional observers,” co-branded with the Immigrant Defense Network and COPAL, instructs trainees on how to observe and document ICE agents at work.

The handbook specifically states, “Do NOT obstruct an arrest under ANY circumstances,” and instructs observers, “Don’t run or resist” if stopped by law enforcement.

After the Department of Homeland Security surged immigration agents to the Twin Cities in December, various agitators have opposed ICE agents by disrupting their work with whistles, using their cars and bodies to prevent the arrest of illegal aliens, and more.

Segovia, COPAL’s executive director, told The New York Times that the group does not “urge” trainees to blow whistles when ICE agents are present,........

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