Immigration enforcement in Minnesota

What federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota means for law, politics and history

Federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota has escalated into an unprecedented standoff between state and federal authorities, with fatal shootings, detained U.S. citizens and a federal judge demanding ICE leadership appear in court — tonight at 8, we break down what it means with a lawyer, political scientist and historian.
MPR News

Since early December, the Trump administration has escalated federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, creating tensions between state and federal authorities that experts say are unprecedented.

The crackdown has brought violence, including two fatal shootings by federal agents. U.S. citizens have been mistakenly detained and protesters have faced tear gas and arrests. And Minnesota's chief federal judge has ordered the acting head of ICE to appear in court Friday, writing that "the Court's patience is at an end.”

On Tuesday, White House immigration adviser Tom Homan arrived to take over the operation, replacing Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino. Gov. Tim Walz met with Homan and called for impartial investigations into the shootings and a reduction in federal forces.

MPR News host Catharine Richert as she talked with three experts to make sense of this moment.

Guests:

  • Emmanuel Mauleon is an associate professor of law at the University of Minnesota where he researches policing, surveillance and racial justice.

  • Kathryn Pearson is a professor of political science at the University of Minnesota. She is also an associate dean of undergraduate education and the director of the University Honors Program. 

  • Yohuru Williams is a distinguished university chair, professor of history and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas

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