Mayor Kaohly Her 'cautiously optimistic' about reported end to federal immigration surge
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Top federal immigration official Tom Homan announced Thursday morning that the Trump Administration is ending what it calls “Operation Metro Surge.” The more than two-month long immigration enforcement action, at its height, brought 3,000 federal officers to the state.
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her took office last month during the federal surge. She has been calling for the removal of federal agents from the city and state. And she, like other local leaders, has met with Homan. She told MPR News she is “cautiously optimistic.”
Her did not comment on whether St. Paul or Ramsey County law enforcement agencies have changed their policies on cooperation with federal immigration agencies.
The same morning as Homan’s announcement, Her signed a new city ordinance that requires law enforcement to display their names or badge numbers visibly on their uniforms. She said there are challenges to holding federal agencies to local laws, but the city has “mechanisms” to do so, such as using cease and desist letters to keep agents from using city property.
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“At the end of the day, the federal government has jurisdiction over cities and states, and we hope that they comply with the laws that we put into place,” she said.
Her said St. Paul police will respond to calls related to ICE activity and will not assist with federal enforcement. “If it is an immigration mission or process that they're in, our law enforcement cannot interfere with federal investigations or federal actions,” she said.
As the state legislative session gets underway next week, Her said St. Paul will seek funding from lawmakers for local businesses impacted by fears of ICE as well as city departments that have had higher costs, such as police overtime, during the surge.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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