To the editor:

Wednesday’s front page story about Lyon County being on the list of Minnesota counties defying federal immigration law led to mixed feelings for me.

1. I would be proud to be part of a community that stands up for underrepresented people and assists those in need.

2. I would not want to be in a county targeted by a petty little man with a napoleon complex and his minions.

One can’t help but wonder if fighting for Aditya Harsono was enough to bring Lyon County to Kristi Noem’s attention. But his deportation was ruled to be illegal, and he was brought home to be with his wife and child. Surely the fact that the law was on Harsono’s side should be enough to vindicate actions taken by people in the county? Does asking the legal system to uphold the law constitute a threat to Homeland Security? Trump’s administration is peddling in fear mongering and hoping everyone will just be frightened enough to try keep their heads down to avoid attention, thus allowing the little tin god to do whatever he and the Project 2025 committee want.

The article further mentions drafting a letter to (U.S. Rep.) Michelle Fischbach. What a lesson in futility. She is one of the minions and has not been visible in our community for a long time. She is keeping her head down and protecting her own behind.

The headline for this article is “Get Us Off the List” but does that reflect how we really should feel? Maybe Lyon County should be proud to be a list of citizens that defy lawlessness and fascism. America needs to stand up for the American constitution and its systems of checks and balances.

Karen DeRoode

Ghent