Sanctuary State Bill Appears Dead on Arrival, Lacking Legislative Support

(KNSI) — A law that would make Minnesota a sanctuary state appears to be DOA.

The North Star Act says 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.

It was introduced by Democratic Representative Sandra Feist, who is an immigration attorney by trade.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman says the measure doesn’t appear to have the votes to move forward in either the House or the Senate. Two Democratic lawmakers took to social media over the weekend saying they would not support it.

Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy was more diplomatic in her approach, saying lots of bills will be introduced and not all of them will get a hearing, adding it’s important to rely on the committee process.

The North Star Act, if passed, would make Minnesota the 13th sanctuary state in the country.

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