Statement on a Board Action Request Passed Unanimously Condemning ICE and Calling For Removal of ICE Personnel and Assets from Minnesota
Today, in the Administration, Operations, and Budget Committee, this Board Action Request (BAR) passed unanimously, which was co-authored by myself, Commissioner Conley, and Commissioner Edelson.
On the BAR’s Content
On December 1, 2025, the Federal Government deployed a large-scale operation under Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) known as Operation Metro Surge. Recently, the number of immigration agents in Minnesota dramatically expanded to over 2,000 agents, which is larger in number than the area’s top law agencies combined. Today, the United States Secretary of Homeland Security has stated that 1,000 additional ICE and other federal law enforcement agents will descend on Minnesota soon (CNN).
As we know, what’s happening in our County and region right now with ICE is horrifying. Here in Hennepin County and across Minnesota – people and minors have been racially profiled, intimidated, physically assaulted, and unlawfully removed from homes and private property. Schools, social services, and medical access have been significantly disrupted. And last Wednesday, an agent publicly shot and killed a Hennepin resident named Renee Nicole Good.
This action does several important things:
denounces the violence and constitutionally questionable actions by ICE in Minnesota.
condemns the preventable killing of Ms. Good, and calls for an independent or parallel investigation to be conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) as Minnesota’s expert agency through their specialized Force Investigations Unit.
calls for the end of the influx of more than 2,000 federal immigration enforcement personnel and assets – and to suspend enforcement tactics that inflict community harm and undermine trust.
reaffirms support for staff and community, and reaffirms our commitment to person-centered services and trauma-informed care.
reaffirms the County’s policy regarding county properties, specifically how civil immigration enforcement is NOT an authorized use.
Finally it directs the County Administrator to establish a structured response with weekly updates to commissioners. It outlines seven specific outcomes expected, noting that this is intended to be the start of a process:
Develop a cohesive communications strategy for the County workforce, subsidiaries, and partners.
Establish a reporting mechanism for workers to report concerns that impact the safety, well-being, and rights of County clients, workers, partners, and residents.
Further review policies and procedures to protect the safety, well-being, and rights of clients, workers, partners, and residents.
Aggregate federal orders that the County and its subsidiaries have received to develop strategies that balance organizational compliance with worker and resident safety.
Updates on county impacts of Operation Metro Surge to the Congressional delegation.
Engage with State government partners to pursue After-Action reviews to evaluate the impacts from Operation Metro Surge, as well as to consider mechanisms to prevent or respond to a future influx of federal agents in our communities.
Engage directly with local government partners to (a) ensure open and regular lines of communication, (b) increase quantifiable understanding of workforce impacts and service disruptions, and (c) explore potential alignment for joint or coordinated work.
On Process
Given open meeting laws, no more than three Commissioners can author a Board Action. For this reason, my office worked with Commissioners Conley and Edelson to draft the BAR.
The unanimous passage, however, shows how strongly the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners feel about the current events in our state, and how serious we are about doing everything in our power to support and protect residents. I extend gratitude to my colleagues for their leadership, partnership, and commitment to safeguarding Hennepin’s mission.
This action passed out of Committee; final adoption of this action will take place at the next County Board meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Please note that the Board does not meet next week in observance of MLK Jr. Day. In 2026, the Board will conduct business from January 6 to December 15, usually on Tuesdays or Thursdays; for a complete list of meetings click here.
My Gratitude
Thank you to the countless Hennepin residents, workers, and community members who have reached out via email, letter, and in person during the Board’s Public Comment period. My office is dedicated to continuing to fight for our shared values and to govern as an act of defense to illegal Federal immigration activity and the irrefutable escalation of our democracy in crisis.
Previous Related Statements
1/7/26 - On The Murder By ICE Agents In Minneapolis on January 7, 2026