Minnesota leaders condemn ICE for ‘chaos’ in immigration actions as operation goes on
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Minnesota elected officials joined several faith leaders Tuesday in raising concerns about federal immigration actions, criticizing a lack of communication and transparency from federal officials.
Dozens joined at Shiloh Temple in Minneapolis to stand in solidarity with immigrant communities targeted in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special operation that began on Dec. 1. They condemned what they described as “chaos” federal ICE agents were sowing across Minnesota.
“When law enforcement is driven by profiling or intimidation, it undermines all the trust in the community. It makes us less safe, and it pulls resources away from doing the real work of crime,” Gov. Tim Walz said. “Minnesota is not going to play along with their strategy. We will not allow our communities to be used as political theater for their personal benefit.”
ICE has released selected information about what it has called “Operation Metro Surge.” It has arrested hundreds but only shared information about immigrants being detained who have prior criminal records.
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Walz, a second-term DFL governor, said federal officials haven’t communicated adequately with local law enforcement about immigration enforcement activities. He said he anticipates there could be an enhanced ICE presence during the holidays. Walz said local officials and faith leaders would work to keep key corridors like food banks, schools and businesses open to people who might be afraid to go out in public.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the city’s police department is understaffed. He said the city doesn’t have enough officers to respond to typical calls as well as additional calls from ICE agents or residents tracking immigration actions. While Minnesota police are trained to deescalate situations, he said he wasn’t seeing those protocols from ICE agents.
“I am increasingly concerned because of the chaos that is being caused by these ICE agents that somebody is going to get seriously injured or killed,” Frey said. “Somebody is going to get seriously injured or killed, and whether that is an ICE agent or a community member, we all know the tinder box that could explode because of it.”
ICE, which is housed in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.
State and local leaders said they have received complaints about federal immigration authorities taking evasive actions to hide their identities.
That includes allegations of ICE personnel swapping license plates on vehicles. That tactic could violate Minnesota law and has come under scrutiny in other states, too. Walz said agents should stop the practice.
“They’re doing what criminals do. They’re putting on license plates on vehicles they’re not registered to, so they’re renting vehicles and putting on fake plates,” Walz said. “We’ve seen where they’re putting on fake Uber stickers so they drive in so people think that’s not law enforcement, that’s criminal activity.”
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said observers who suspect plate swapping is occurring can lodge complaints with Homeland Security.
Statement from Twin Cities archbishop
Archbishop Bernard Hebda, of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, was among the faith leaders at the news conference. Later in the day, he issued a statement saying that Department of Homeland Security officials assured him they wouldn’t enforce immigration actions at churches or K-12 schools unless there was an “imminent public safety threat.”
“We are unaware of any enforcement actions in our parishes and schools in these past weeks and months and have no reason to believe that will change,” he wrote.
Hebda also called on people to ratchet down their rhetoric.
“We are at a moment in this country when we need to lower the temperature of rhetoric, stop fear-filled speculation and start seeing all people as created in the image and likeness of God,” Hebda said in the statement, issued ahead of Christmas. “That is as true for our immigrant sisters and brothers as it is for our elected officials and those who are responsible for carrying out our laws.”
Hebda said churches are a place of refuge, and welcomed all to join Christmas worship services.
