Sanctuary State Push: Bill to Limit Cooperation with ICE Potentially on the Table in Minnesota

(KNSI) — The Minnesota State Legislature gavels back into session on February 12th, and one of the possible proposals on the table is the North Star Act, which would make us a sanctuary state for immigration enforcement purposes.

According to the bills filed last session in the House (HF2680) and Senate (SF2724), it was tacked on as part of Public Safety legislation. The state would assist in criminal immigration warrants and investigations but restrict state and local officials from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

In the House version, government agents, including local law enforcement, “shall not, for immigration enforcement purposes,” apply for or get any federal funds requiring increased information sharing between agencies; stop, detain, arrest, detect, investigate, or question a person, respond to holds, notifications, civil immigration warrants, or transfer requests from federal immigration authorities including U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

The Senate version is identical.

A website dedicated to the bill says enforcement of immigration laws is the sole responsibility of the federal government. State law enforcement agencies do not have the legal authority to hold people on immigration detainer unless specially authorized to do so by the federal government. The federal government cannot mandate compliance with immigration detainers. It says the North Star Act would “free up public safety resources for more appropriate ends.”

A Rally for an I.C.E. Free Minnesota is set for the Capitol at 11:00 a.m. on the 12th.

If passed, Minnesota would be the 13th sanctuary state.

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