Minneapolis City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Story
Minneapolis officials unite against ICE with legal action, property bans
Community Response and Mutual Aid
Government Actions and Legal Challenges Against ICE
Impact on Vulnerable Populations and Public Spaces
Votes (6)
Launch of Regular Inter-Governmental Public Updates
Several officials announced a new cross-governmental initiative to provide regular, vetted updates to the public about ICE activities and community support. This 'livereamed update' or 'newsletter' aims to ensure coordinated and accurate information dissemination from all levels of local government.
Hennepin County Board Resolution Supporting Staff and Community
The Hennepin County Board unanimously passed a resolution to reaffirm strong support for staff and community members witnessing and experiencing traumatic events due to ICE activities. The resolution emphasizes the county's commitment to providing essential services, connection, and care for all residents during this challenging time.
Launch of Hennepin County "Operation Reconnect"
Hennepin County is launching "Operation Reconnect" to build a real-time community response, focusing on mental health support and emergency first aid for families impacted by ICE. This initiative involves adapting county services and deepening partnerships with neighborhood organizations to ensure care reaches residents who may be fearful of seeking help directly.
Minneapolis City Council Actions Against ICE Operations
The Minneapolis City Council has strengthened its separation ordinance and banned the use of city-owned property for ICE operations. These measures aim to protect vulnerable residents, ensure people know their rights, and prevent federal agents from utilizing municipal resources for immigration enforcement.
Minneapolis Park Board's Ban on Park Property Use by ICE
In conjunction with the City Council's efforts, the Minneapolis Park Board has also banned the use of its property for ICE operations. A dedicated email address (immigrationmppbleal@minneapolisparks.org) has been provided for reporting any such violations on park land.
Minneapolis Public Schools' Support for Federal Lawsuit Against DHS
The Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education officially supports the federal lawsuit filed by the State of Minnesota, alongside the Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, against the Department of Homeland Security. This lawsuit seeks to end the surge of DHS agents into the state, emphasizing the need to protect students and ensure safe learning environments.
Notable Quotes (8)
We are announcing that we will be launching a regular short livereamed update kind of like a livereamed newsletter across local government to keep the public informed.
starting today with the today's press briefing, the point of this press briefing press briefing is to make sure that all the units of government of units of government within the state of Minnesota are coordinated and vetting information to get out to the public because we think that this information is really important to the public.
At our county board meeting yesterday, my colleagues and I unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming our strong support for staff and community who are witnessing and experiencing traumatic events every single day and voicing our continued commitment to providing essential services, connection, and care for all people at this extraordinarily challenging time.
In the coming days, leaders and staff across Henipin County will launch something called Operation Reconnect. And that is to build in real time community's collective response, including mental health response and emergency first aid to what is happening to our families, neighbors, and communities.
If ISIS is stopping residents from coming to us, again, I cannot stress this enough. We will come to you.
The city is making a lot of investments into making sure that people know their rights, that we have legal services available to people. Um, we've strengthened our separation ordinance. We've banned the use of city-owned property uh for staging of ICE operations.
Our partners at the park board have also banned the use of their property. And if you witness this on park property, make sure to send an email to immigrationmppbleal@ minneapolis parks.org so that we can stay on top of this.
On behalf of the board, Minneapolis Public Schools also supports the federal lawsuit filed on behalf of the state of Minnesota alongside the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul against the Department of Homeland Security and related agencies and officials, asking the court to end the surge of DHS agents into the state and to leave our kids alone.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Federal document (employment eligibility verification) requested by DHS from hospital leadership at HCMC.
Requirement for ICE to enter homes, often violated according to speakers.
Minneapolis City ordinance strengthened to limit cooperation with ICE.
Unanimously passed by Hennepin County Board, reaffirming support for staff and community impacted by ICE.
Filed by the State of Minnesota, Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul against the Department of Homeland Security and related agencies, asking to end the surge of DHS agents.
Legal request within the federal lawsuit to immediately halt ICE activities, awaiting a judge's decision.