1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to protect Minnesota residents from aggressive federal immigration enforcement tactics that are creating fear and instability in our communities. Recent reports indicate federal agents have been conducting immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, part of a broader pattern of escalating ICE activity across the country. We have seen what this looks like in other cities. In Portland, residents took to the streets to protest ICE operations that were tearing families apart and creating an atmosphere of terror in immigrant communities. These enforcement actions do not make us safer. They drive people underground, making them afraid to report crimes, seek medical care, or send their children to school. Minnesota has always been a place that values community cohesion and public safety built on trust. When federal agents conduct raids without transparency or accountability, they undermine the relationships local law enforcement has worked to build with the communities they serve. This is not just about immigration policy. It is about whether we will allow our neighbors to live in constant fear of being separated from their families. I am asking you to take concrete steps to limit cooperation between state and local agencies and federal immigration enforcement. This could include prohibiting the use of state resources for immigration enforcement, ensuring that schools, hospitals, and courthouses remain safe spaces, and demanding transparency about any federal operations conducted in our state. Other states have successfully implemented these protections without compromising public safety. Our immigrant neighbors are teachers, small business owners, healthcare workers, and parents. They contribute to our economy and enrich our communities. They deserve to live without fear of being swept up in enforcement actions that prioritize deportation numbers over human dignity and community wellbeing. Minnesota can lead by protecting all residents and ensuring that our values of fairness and compassion are reflected in policy, not just rhetoric.