Council Divided Over Federal Gun-Tracing Grant Containing 'Illegal Aliens' Language
Minneapolis officials debated a $300,000 Justice Department ballistics grant whose funding notice references apprehending 'illegal aliens' and bars impeding federal immigration enforcement.
A $300,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant that would fund upkeep of Minneapolis police ballistic-imaging equipment drew sharp objections at the June 12 Committee of the Whole meeting, after council members learned the federal funding notice referred to locating and apprehending "illegal aliens" and prohibited funded programs from impeding federal immigration enforcement.
The application, for the DOJ's 2026 NIBIN Modernization Program, would cover five years of maintenance for the city's National Integrated Ballistic Information Network equipment. Council Member Chavez, chair of the Public Health, Safety and Equity Committee, said he would vote against it and announced plans for a counter-resolution rejecting the language.
I want to be very clear to my community that this language is disrespectful. It is dehumanizing, and it is not in alignment with our values here in Minneapolis.
Chavez said he did not accept the premise of the federal document. "I do not accept the premise implicit or explicit in this or any federal instrument that immigrant residents are a threat to public safety requiring locating and apprehending," he said, adding, "I will not be supporting this program."
City attorney reviewed separation ordinance conflicts
Lead Assistant City Attorney Amy Shut told the committee her office had reviewed the notice of funding opportunity against the city's separation ordinance, which limits municipal involvement in federal immigration enforcement. She said the office had built a new review process specifically because such terms were appearing more frequently.
We have been seeing an increase in these terms since the beginning of the Trump administration and that is the reason that my office has set up a process for reviewing terms of all grants that the city is applying for.
Other Topics from This Document
Business, Housing and Zoning Committee report — 20 items including liquor licenses and appointments
Mayor's nomination of Henrique Velasquez as director of regulatory services
FGNC appeal and rezoning/alley vacation for 3000 Minnehaha Ave (Democracy Center)
Affordable Housing Trust Fund and NOAH program changes
Climate and Infrastructure Committee report — 13 items
Southwest light rail subordinate funding agreement No. 14
Minneapolis Street Lighting Plan Amendment; Cedar Lake Road Bridge project
Green stormwater infrastructure, West Fulton neighborhood improvement
Enterprise Labor Relations Committee report — 10 items, legal settlements, bonds
Legislative process reform research and recommendations directive
Public Health, Safety and Equity Committee — 7 items
Mayor's nomination of Dr. Freeman as fire chief (no recommendation)
Police cadet program contract with Hennepin Technical College
911 quality assurance software contract amendment
Community trauma response services contracts
Neighborhood safety department contract management audit directive
Special law approval for food hall licenses (consent agenda)
DOJ 2026 NIBIN Modernization Program grant application ($300,000 over five years)
Ballistic evidence processing, crime gun intelligence, gun violence reduction
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