At least 12 Twin Cities suburbs form coalition amid ICE surge
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
A coalition of 12 mayors in Twin Cities suburbs are banding together to support each other and ask for economic support amid federal immigration activity. More cities are expected to join.
It’s called the Cities for Safe and Stable Communities and so far includes the cities of Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights, Eden Prairie, Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Maplewood, Minnetonka, Richfield and St. Louis Park. It began with a few mayors getting together in December.
“It’s not just a Minneapolis issue,” said St. Louis Park Mayor Nadia Mohamed. “It's happening all over Minnesota, and so we want to be part of that narrative where we're saying, ‘Our safety matters.’”
Mohamed said that in St. Louis Park, ICE agents were near one of the city’s elementary schools. And speaking personally, the Somali American mayor said her mother is afraid to leave her home, even though she’s a U.S. citizen.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
In a statement, the mayors called out enforcement tactics for violating the Constitution and say it’s harmed trust with local law enforcement. In addition, the coalition worries about the economic fallout.
“From small business closures and workforce instability to housing insecurity, the damage weakens Minnesota’s entire economic engine,” the statement said.
The coalition is looking at economic relief options. When asked if there would be an ask to the state Legislature, Mohamed said the coalition is still working out their options.
— Minnesota Now guest host Kelly Gordon and producer Aleesa Kuznetsov
This story is part of our live coverage. Go to live updates.
