ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO/WCCO) – A coalition of lawmakers and advocacy groups are introducing a bill that would make Minnesota what some call a “sanctuary state” with the North STAR Act.
Democratic State Rep. Sandra Feist of New Brighton says the bill essentially prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. Democrat Omar Fateh of Minneapolis is the bill’s sponsor in the Senate.
“The federal government can and will continue to enforce federal immigration laws in Minnesota,” Feist says. “This bill simply ensures that it is not the responsibility of the State of Minnesota to perform that role.”
Feist says the highly-technical bill is intended to create clarity and ensure state and local resources are not wasted by enforcing “broken” federal immigration laws.
40 other lawmakers have signed onto the bill, which will be introduced in a House committee when the Legislature convenes when the session begins next week.
There’s already strong reaction from Republican leaders. House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring says now is not the time for this type of bill.
“Minnesotans want a secure border, not to turn our state into a magnet for illegal immigration,” Demuth says. “Sanctuary cities in other parts of the country have struggled with the surge in illegal immigration and caused a tremendous strain on housing, education, food shelves, health care, public safety, and other resources. Minnesotans simply do not support this extreme policy, especially at a time when we are seeing chaos at the border.”
Those in favor of the bill say it also ensures immigrants have a chance to contribute to the betterment of Minnesota without fear of deportation. Jesus Garcia Garcia is a PhD student researcher studying cancer.
“My research, funded by NIH grants, is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in understanding these diseases,” Garcia says. “But the uncertainty of my immigration status has always been a cloud over my accomplishments.”
Many U.S. cities and counties, including Hennepin County, have already declared themselves sanctuaries. There are now 12 states that have declared sanctuary status.
Gov. Tim Walz has said he would support similar laws.
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