State lawmakers aim to rein in ICE power as enforcement surge finally winds down after weeks of chaos
Minnesota’s legislative session begins Tuesday with Democrats determined to fight back against what they view as federal immigration enforcement gone too far. The state’s Capitol will become a battleground over immigration policy as House and Senate Democrats have unveiled 11 bills designed to counter what they consider the worst excesses by federal immigration officers during the recent enforcement surge. Meanwhile, Republicans will focus on combatting fraud in taxpayer-funded programs that President Donald Trump cited to justify the recent crackdown.
- State lawmakers aim to rein in ICE power as enforcement surge finally winds down after weeks of chaos
- The legislature remains deeply divided on immigration
- Democrats propose substantial restrictions on federal agents
- Republicans prioritize fraud prevention over enforcement limits
- The stakes extend beyond Minnesota
The timing is significant. White House border czar Tom Homan said over the weekend that more than 1,000 officers have left the Twin Cities area, with hundreds more departing in the coming days. But the aftermath will continue reverberating at the Capitol through late May as lawmakers grapple with the damage left behind.
The legislature remains deeply divided on immigration
Whether any significant changes can actually pass remains genuinely uncertain. The House is tied with a Republican speaker, while Democrats hold only a one-vote majority in the Senate. That means nothing can pass without bipartisan support. Add in that it’s an election year with all 201 legislative seats on the ballot, and compromise becomes even harder.
House Speaker Lisa Demuth is among Republican candidates running for governor and has publicly expressed hope she will win Trump’s endorsement. That political positioning makes negotiating difficult. Demuth told reporters Monday that bipartisan votes are necessary to move bills through committees, but her alignment with Trump suggests her priorities may not align with Democratic concerns about immigration enforcement.
Capitol security is also notably tighter this session following the assassination of Democratic former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband last summer. All visitors now undergo weapons screening, adding another layer to an already tense political environment.
Democrats propose substantial restrictions on federal agents
Democratic Governor Tim Walz proposed a $10 million relief package last week for small businesses that lost customers and workers during the enforcement surge. More aid proposals could be coming as lawmakers assess the economic damage.
The 11 Democratic bills aim to keep federal officers away from schools, childcare centers, hospitals and colleges. They would ban federal agents from wearing face masks while requiring visible identification. They would also require that federal authorities allow state investigators to participate in investigations of shootings by federal agents. The state remains frozen out of those cases after two deaths. The FBI officially notified the state Monday that it won’t share information or evidence from its investigation into one shooting death.
These proposals reflect genuine anger about federal enforcement tactics and the separation of state and federal oversight. Democrats believe citizens deserve to know who federal agents are and what authority they possess.
Republicans prioritize fraud prevention over enforcement limits
Republicans are taking a different approach, focusing on combatting fraud in taxpayer-funded programs. Trump cited such fraud as justification for the enforcement surge, and Republicans appear aligned with that rationale.
The political reality is stark: Democrats don’t expect support from Republican leaders but are hoping some GOP lawmakers will break with their party. House Democratic Leader Zack Stephenson said the enforcement surge was so exceptional and damaging that he believes people will respond to it. He also noted it’s an election year and voters are watching to see whether lawmakers stand up to the administration’s immigration policies.
The stakes extend beyond Minnesota
This legislative battle represents a broader conflict between states and federal authority over immigration enforcement. Minnesota is one of several states where Democratic legislatures are attempting to limit federal ICE operations within their borders. The outcome could influence how other states approach similar conflicts.
Whether compromise is possible depends on whether any Republican lawmakers feel pressure to distance themselves from the enforcement surge’s most controversial aspects. Early signs suggest that path is unlikely, but the election year dynamic could shift calculations as voters prepare to hold elected officials accountable.
