Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her signed an ordinance Thursday that restricts U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s ability to operate within the city.
The new ordinance will keep law enforcement from staging or operating on city-owned property and bans city employees from giving agents access to city-owned property unless required by a warrant. This addition to the Legislative Code was adopted by the city council at a Wednesday meeting that had further implications for ICE’s presence in the city.
“This action honors that promise by strengthening and clarifying our city’s expectations, and making it explicit: city property is not for immigration enforcement. Our city parks, libraries, and service centers are trusted resources for our community, and they must stay that way,” Her wrote in a statement.
The ordinance was sponsored by all seven members of the city council and passed with a 6-0 vote as Ward 7 Council member Cheniqua Johnson was absent from Wednesday’s meeting.
City ordinances go into effect 30 days after being passed and publicly posted in the Pioneer Press. However, Ward 6 Council member Nelsie Yang, Ward 1 Council member Anika Bowie and Ward 3 Council member Saura Jost expressed willingness to explore routes that could enact changes faster amidst Operation Metro Surge.
“I see this as a huge barrier to what we actually want to get done during a time of crisis like this,” Yang said at the meeting.
Saint Paul residents like those in the group Neighbors Protecting Neighbors have pushed for the city’s government to adopt a similar separation ordinance that Minneapolis has. Minneapolis updated this city law in December, clearly defining and separating the roles of city government and federal law enforcement when it comes to immigration matters.
“Passing a strong Separation Ordinance now is not only a policy necessity, but an act of solidarity and a coordinated effort to defend human rights across U.S. cities,” the group wrote in a press release ahead of Wednesday’s meeting.
Also at Wednesday’s meeting was the first reading of Ordinance 26-7, which would require law enforcement to operate without face masks or coverings, except under specific circumstances where they are necessary for protection or undercover operations.
Ward 4 Council member Molly Coleman, whose constituency includes the University of St. Thomas, is a sponsor of the prospective ordinance.
“People are demanding that these agents be unmasked and identifiable just as our local law enforcement is required to be,” Coleman said at the meeting.
This ordinance will receive a second reading on Feb. 11 when it will be open to public hearing.
Council members also heard the second reading and public testimony on an ordinance that would require law enforcement to wear identification on the outermost layer of their clothing.
John Benda, board member of Minnesota Interfaith Coalition on Immigration, thanked the council for taking steps to tackle ICE’s raids in Saint Paul during the public hearing. He added that he was disappointed that it had taken this long.
“Please push back harder and show us that you do indeed stand against ICE. Our Saint Paul residents, no matter what their status is, need you to push back with urgency against this evil regime,” Benda said.
This will be up for a vote on final adoption at Feb. 11’s city council meeting.
Adam Mueller can be reached at muel7541@stthomas.edu.
