Minnesota Senate Moves to Handcuff Federal Immigration Enforcement

Clear Facts

• Minnesota Senate passed a bill 34-33 along party lines restricting federal immigration agents from concealing identities and allowing lawsuits over alleged constitutional violations
• The legislation instructs schools, day cares, and health care facilities to deny ICE access without signed judicial warrants and prohibits certain immigration arrests at court proceedings
• Republicans warn the measure will cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands in litigation and hinder cooperation between federal and state law enforcement

The Minnesota Senate passed legislation Monday that would severely restrict federal immigration enforcement operations in the state, creating new legal liabilities for agents working to secure the border and remove criminal aliens.

The bill passed on a razor-thin 34-33 party-line vote and now moves to the evenly divided House, where its prospects remain uncertain.

At its core, the legislation prohibits federal agents from concealing their identities during operations, with limited exceptions. It also creates a new pathway for residents to file lawsuits alleging constitutional violations stemming from immigration enforcement activities.

The measure goes further by instructing schools, day care centers, and health care facilities to deny entry to immigration agents conducting civil enforcement without a signed judicial warrant. It also blocks certain civil immigration arrests of individuals attending court proceedings.

Additionally, the bill grants state officials authority to investigate deaths involving federal agents’ use of force and establishes penalties or civil liability when someone fails to render aid after a shooting.

Democratic Sen. Omar Fateh, a co-sponsor, claimed federal raids in Minnesota represented “a show of force against immigrant communities.”

“They said agents were here to enforce law and order. Again, they lied. They broke down doors without a warrant, denied people due process, assaulted, arrested, tear-gassed and shot peaceful people,” Fateh said.

The legislation follows fatal shootings involving two U.S. citizens during separate immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis in January. Those incidents triggered protests and have been seized upon by Democratic lawmakers seeking to impose restrictions on federal immigration authorities.

Minnesota joins several other Democratic-controlled states pursuing similar restrictions. New York recently reached a budget agreement limiting state cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and placing restrictions on masked agents and warrantless searches. California lawmakers passed a mask ban, though portions of that state’s restrictions face ongoing federal court challenges.

New Jersey and Massachusetts have also advanced proposals to block immigration agents from wearing masks during enforcement operations under President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Democratic Sen. Ron Latz, another co-sponsor, framed the measure as accountability legislation.

“What we endured was one of the darkest periods in American history when the government … sent masked men — armed, untrained and unrestrained — to terrorize our communities,” Latz claimed.

Republicans strongly opposed the bill, accusing Democrats of using inflammatory rhetoric about legitimate immigration enforcement operations. They argued Minnesota officials should be working with ICE, not against it.

“We need more cooperation in this state between our federal, state and local officials. More cooperation, not less cooperation. That will help reduce the need for street-level enforcement, which many people are very uncomfortable with,” GOP Sen. Michael Kreun said.

Republican Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen defended immigration enforcement operations, arguing they have improved public safety in cities nationwide. Senate Republicans also warned the package would burden taxpayers with hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential litigation costs as the state faces likely legal challenges.

“This bill will put Minnesota on a collision course with dangerous illegal immigrants who roam freely while federal authorities face legal challenges,” Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson said in a statement.

The legislation’s mask prohibition includes limited exceptions, such as for medical needs.

The Department of Homeland Security has not yet commented on the Minnesota legislation.

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