Minneapolis officials have transformed their city into a sanctuary fortress through deliberate policies that prioritize protecting illegal immigrants over cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.
Story Overview
- Minneapolis strengthened its separation ordinance in December 2025 to limit cooperation with ICE operations
- City employees receive official training and guidance on how to avoid assisting federal immigration enforcement
- The policy prevents Minneapolis from entering cooperation agreements with ICE and prohibits local enforcement of federal immigration law
- Critics argue these actions constitute obstruction of federal law enforcement during a national immigration crisis
Official Policy Creates Immigration Sanctuary
Minneapolis operates under a separation ordinance originally adopted in 2003 but recently strengthened to create stronger barriers between city employees and federal immigration enforcement. The updated ordinance includes mandatory employee training programs and official guidance documents that instruct workers on avoiding cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations throughout the city.
Council Member Aurin Chowdhury publicly defended the policy, stating the city prioritizes “using its limited, finite resources to advance the health and safety of its residents.” This rationale essentially argues that protecting illegal immigrants takes precedence over supporting federal law enforcement efforts to remove individuals who violated immigration laws.
City Employees Receive Anti-ICE Training
The ordinance mandates comprehensive training for city employees on how to handle federal immigration enforcement activities. These training programs teach workers to avoid providing assistance, information, or resources that could aid ICE operations. The city publishes official guidance documents on its website that serve as instruction manuals for non-cooperation with federal authorities.
The policy prohibits city departments from entering into cooperation agreements with ICE, effectively creating institutional barriers to immigration enforcement. This systematic approach transforms individual city workers into obstacles for federal agents attempting to enforce immigration law, regardless of the criminal history or legal status of the individuals being sought.
Federal Enforcement Faces Systematic Obstruction
The Minneapolis approach represents a calculated strategy to undermine federal immigration enforcement through official city policy rather than individual resistance. By codifying non-cooperation into law and training employees to avoid assistance, the city creates systematic obstacles for ICE operations that rely on local cooperation and information sharing.
This institutionalized resistance occurs during heightened federal immigration enforcement efforts aimed at addressing illegal immigration nationwide. The timing raises questions about whether local governments should actively work against federal law enforcement priorities, particularly when dealing with individuals who may pose public safety risks or have violated multiple laws beyond immigration violations.
Sources:
The Circle News – Minneapolis moves to strengthen its separation ordinance amid ICE raids
Minneapolis.gov – Federal activity updates and resources
Minneapolis GovDelivery bulletin 4043c49
Minneapolis.gov – City federal response programs and initiatives