(audience cheering and applause).

ANJELAH: And now to present our final honorees and bring us close to home, please welcome back the legendary Los Tigres del Norte.

(audience cheering and applause).

ALL: Gracias.

Gracias.

Gracias.

JORGE: Earlier this year, Minnesota became ground zero for a massive federal immigration enforcement effort known as Operation Metro Surge, as armed and masked ICE and other agencies targeted and terrified communities across the state for what seemed like an eternity, and it continues.

HERNAN: Peaceful, hard-working communities of immigrants and refugees found themselves in fearful chaos as more than 4,000 people, parents, grandparents, neighbors, friends, and families were taken by force, U.S.

citizens among them.

As the agents drew down, the survivors were left with the impossible task of rebuilding families, businesses, neighborhoods, and generational trauma.

EDUARDO: But in the midst of that calamity, the People of Minnesota showed the rest of the world the best.

Minnesotanos showed us how to lead through love.

As people feared to take their kids to school or the doctor, friends and neighbors stepped up to drive them.

LUIS: As families feared what would happen if they ventured out for groceries, different communities organized to prepare, pack, and deliver thousands of meals so their neighbors wouldn't go hungry.

When homes became too dangerous to stay in because agents were threatening the families of organizers and violating constitutional rights, neighbors' homes became sanctuaries.

Churches, Synagogues, and Mosques became not only spaces for spiritual respite, but training grounds and organizing hubs for noble volunteers.

JORGE: Armed with iconic whistles, thousands of Minnesotans braved the bitter cold to warn of impending danger and to physically protect their neighbors and stand up for the violations of their collective civil rights and individual dignity.

HERNAN: We may never know the countless individual acts of bravery and compassion during that time, but in the crisis, the People of Minnesota showed America how to unite across differences and commonalities.

EDUARDO: We are here to celebrate and learn how communities can come together to protect and uplift one another.

LUIS: We can be united by our shared humanity and our common demand for dignity and safety for ourselves, our families, and yes, our neighbors.

Nuestros vecinos.

ALL: Hoy, todos somos vecinos.

(audience cheering and applause).

JORGE: Please give a round of applause the People of Minnesota, all of you, for leading with love.

HERNAN: Please welcome our 2026 Humanitarian Award honorees, the People of Minnesota!

(audience cheering and applause).

♪ ♪ (audience cheering and applause).

♪ ♪ (audience cheering and applause).

♪ ♪ (audience cheering and applause).

♪ ♪ (audience cheering and applause).