Thread: MN: Immigration bill passes

Immigration bill passes

Grand Forks Herald
April 18, 2012


The House passed a bill 77-52 Wednesday that keeps local governments from prohibiting the sharing of a person’s immigration status.


The bill essentially ends “sanctuary” policies for illegal immigrants in cities such as Minneapolis, St. Paul, Worthington and thousands of other Minnesota cities and towns and municipalities.


Opponents said that means the bill could reduce immigrants’ cooperation with police.

MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE NOTEBOOK: Abortion, Immigration bills pass | Grand Forks Herald | Grand Forks, North Dakota

House immigration bill aims at cities
by Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio
April 19, 2012

St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota House has passed legislation aimed at ensuring all cities enforce immigration laws.

Under the bill, local government officials can no longer restrict employees from sharing immigration data with federal authorities. It also preempts local ordinances that prohibit cooperation in immigration enforcement. Supporters say the bill would help enforce immigration laws. The legislation passed with House with a vote of 77-52.

Rep. Rena Moran, DFL-St. Paul, says the bill could increase racial profiling.

"I think this bill is all about how a person looks. This is one of those unintended consequences of a bill like this," Moran said.

The bill also allows the public to sue any city that does not comply with the new enforcement requirements.

Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Good Thunder. said the bill will ensure law enforcement personnel are enforcing all laws.

"There are a lot of police officers out there who don't want to be mandated but they don't want to be restricted either. Just give them the tools they need to enforce the laws," Cornish said.

Critics say the bill would harm community policing efforts because immigrants would be less inclined to speak to police officers about criminal activity.

House immigration bill aims at cities | Minnesota Public Radio News