Duluth area lawmakers speak out against ongoing ICE surge

Democratic state lawmakers from the Duluth area say the ongoing federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota is having a profound impact on their constituents, even as enforcement activities have been relatively limited in the region compared to elsewhere in the state.

Immigrant-owned businesses have closed or altered their operations because customers and staff are afraid to come in; immigrants and people of color who are U.S. citizens are skipping or delaying health care visits; children are missing sports games and school or attending class virtually; and college students are afraid to drive home to Duluth from other areas of the state out of fear of being racially profiled, pulled over, and detained, said State Rep. Liish Kozlowski of Duluth during a news conference at Duluth City Hall Tuesday.

“The unseen, heavy toll on our Somali, Native, Latino and Asian communities is what grinds me the most,” said Kozlowski, who is Mexican American and Native American.

State lawmakers from around the country plan to attend a legislative hearing at the state capitol on Thursday on the impacts of ICE enforcement actions on Minnesota, Kozlowski added. She said lawmakers are discussing a number of legislative proposals, including a statewide eviction moratorium with rental assistance, grants to help support businesses owned by immigrants and people of color and prohibitions on federal agents wearing masks in the state and switching license plates.

State Rep. Pete Johnson, who also works as a firefighter for the city of Duluth, said he worries that ICE agents are making the work of first responders and local police officers more difficult.

“Because our ability to do our jobs is predicated on trust,” Johnson said. “And what is happening in our streets right now is shattering that trust, trust that many of us have spent our careers building.”

Joining the Minnesota representatives was Angela Stroud, a Democratic state representative from Ashland, Wis., whose district includes the city of Superior, just across the bridge from Duluth.

“Minneapolis is our city too,” Stroud said, noting that it’s the closest big city for people in northwest Wisconsin, many of whom work or shop or have family and friends in Minnesota. “And I stand with Minnesota because I know Wisconsin could be next in terms of having one of our major cities occupied by a federal force,” Stroud said.

The lawmakers pointed to a silver lining in the ongoing unrest, how neighbors in the Twin Cities have come together to look out for and support one another. That same ethos is permeating Duluth, they said, where hundreds have taken part in training to be observers during immigration enforcement activities.

“Let's keep building community out of this tragedy,” said Duluth State Senator Jen McEwen.

— Dan Kraker, MPR News

Correction (Jan. 28, 2026): An earlier version of this story incorrectly reflected when state lawmakers plan to respond to enforcement actions.

This story is part of our live coverage. Go to live updates.

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