Suburban Police Departments Address Immigration Enforcement Amid ICE Activity
With reports of immigrants being detained and pop-up protests across the Twin Cities, some suburban police departments are taking the initiative to explain their roles in federal immigration operations. The cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis have had separation ordinances in place for years, which state that local employees, including police, are not responsible for enforcing federal immigration law.
Following Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Operation Metro Surge, which began on December 1, several suburbs have released statements to address their own policies. The message from these departments is clear: city-appointed officers will not be involved in ICE operations unless the arrest involves someone accused of crimes within their jurisdictions. They emphasize that no community member, regardless of their immigration status, should be afraid to call 911 or cooperate with local investigations.
Operation Metro Surge and Its Impact
ICE’s Operation Metro Surge has brought at least 100 federal officers from out of state to the Twin Cities. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the operation targets “criminal illegal aliens” with prior convictions for serious crimes, as well as individuals with final deportation orders. As of the latest reports, ICE agents have arrested over 400 undocumented immigrants in Minnesota since the operation began.
The operation has expanded into suburbs such as Burnsville, Brooklyn Park, and Chanhassen. However, the methods used by ICE agents have raised concerns among community members and local officials. State Sen. Lindsey Port, DFL-Burnsville, expressed her horror at reports of masked agents detaining parents, leaving their children without care.
Local Police Departments’ Statements
In response to the ICE activity, several suburban police departments have issued statements to reassure their communities. The city of Burnsville, for example, stated that its police department does not engage in federal immigration enforcement and typically is not notified of federal operations. Burnsville police officers enforce only state and local laws and do not check someone’s immigration status.
Other cities, such as Woodbury, Stillwater, and Rosemount, have also released similar statements. Woodbury’s Public Safety Director and Police Chief, Jason Posel, emphasized that the department does not proactively work with ICE and does not inquire about immigration status. Stillwater officials stated that police officers do not enforce federal immigration law and do not ask about immigration status. Rosemount’s police department also assured its residents that officers will not play an active role in federal immigration enforcement and will not ask about immigration status.
Attorney General’s Opinion and Community Response
The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office has weighed in on the issue, stating that county sheriffs are not authorized to enter into 287(g) agreements with ICE without the approval of the county board of commissioners. Additionally, sheriffs may not detain immigrants solely on the basis of a civil ICE detainer request if state law does not otherwise authorize law enforcement to detain them.
As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential for community members to understand the roles and responsibilities of their local police departments. By providing clear and accurate information, these departments aim to reassure their communities and maintain trust. For more information on this topic, visit Here.
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