Latest news with #MaxRymer
Fox News
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Proposed bill would require law enforcement in blue state to cooperate with ICE: 'A line of communication'
Minnesota lawmakers recently introduced a bill that would prevent state and local government agencies from not allowing employees to share immigration data requested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The bill also requires county attorneys to report any illegal immigrant arrested for a violent crime, even if they are not charged, and prohibits law enforcement from not cooperating with ICE. President Donald Trump, who campaigned for an immigration crackdown, loosened restrictions on ICE, allowing broader enforcement. Under H.F. 16, sponsored by state Rep. Max Rymer, R-North Branch, Minnesota law enforcement and government agencies would no longer be allowed to create ordinances, regulations and policies that "limit or prohibit government employees from communicating with federal officials about the immigration status of individuals." It would require agencies to cooperate with federal officials on issues involving immigration enforcement and investigate any violations. "The motive for this bill is to open up a line of communication between local authorities and deal with dangerous criminals who should not be in our community," Rymer told FOX 9 Minneapolis on Wednesday. "Right now, we find ourselves in a moment where you have local officials who are openly defying immigration enforcement, from the Minneapolis mayor, to the Hennpin County prosecutor." The bill, which was introduced in February, went before the Minnesota House of Representatives in the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee on Wednesday, FOX 9 reported. It will be sent to the House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee for further discussion following a roll-call vote. The Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL)-led Minnesota Senate and Gov. Tim Walz will need to be on board for the bill to be signed into law, a tough feat considering the state's promise to remain a "sanctuary state," and not cooperate with federal ICE efforts. Last year, DFL legislators introduced the North STAR Act to make Minnesota a sanctuary state. Those in support of the bill cited the need for the state to follow federal standards on immigration reform. However, critics warned the large scope could be used to target minority communities. Ben Gleekel with the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota told FOX 9 the bill could make Minnesotans "less safe." "Non-citizens and citizen victims of domestic violence and trafficking will suffer the most," Gleekel said. "They will not risk calling local law enforcement to report a crime, if they know that it means their families will be separated or that they themselves might be apprehended. Prohibiting entities that know their communities best from maintaining clear boundaries between state and federal government will erode the important trust that exists between our immigrant communities and local law enforcement… ." ICE is already outpacing the total number of arrests in 2024, the agency said Wednesday. The agency also found tens of thousands of cases that were recorded as arrests actually resulted in releases into American communities.
CBS News
13-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Minnesota bill would require cities to cooperate with federal immigration officials
A proposal in the Minnesota Legislature would require local governments to work with federal immigration officials as President Donald Trump's administration vows the deportation of undocumented immigrants. The GOP-backed bill would mandate that county attorneys report people without legal status who are arrested on suspicion of violent crimes to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, regardless of whether they're ultimately charged. It would also override cities and counties that choose to implement policies or ordinances the limit or prohibit cooperation with federal immigration officials. Some local governments in the state — including the largest cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul — have their own rules keeping city employees from inquiring about immigration status or being used for immigration enforcement. Supporters of this proposal say its goal is to boost public safety. Chief author Rep. Max Rymer, R-North Branch, noted that Minneapolis officials and police recently doubled down on their policy forbidding officers from asking about immigration status, according to MPR News. "It's a very narrowly focused bill. Ultimately, we had an election in November that was primarily adjudicated on illegal immigration. It was a number one or number two issue for most Americans and what this bill does is help keep our communities safe," he said in a news conference Wednesday. But opposition is strong from immigrant rights and victims groups, as well as local governments. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter wrote to the House public safety panel that the proposal would divert critical city resources away from local needs and "bullies us to handing over local resources to a sector of enforcement that has never been our responsibility." The League of Minnesota Cities, which represents more than 800 cities across the state, wrote in a letter to the committee that discussed the legislation Wednesday that the proposal would "unnecessarily" interfere with local decision-making and could erode the trust built between local law enforcement and immigrant communities. "This legislation threatens to compromise good relationships between city officials and immigrant communities. Local law enforcement agencies work cooperatively on a regular basis with ICE, while recognizing that immigration enforcement is primarily the federal government's responsibility," Anne Finn, intergovernmental relations director of the League of Minnesota Cities, said in a letter. Rymer reiterated that the proposal only targets individuals accused of violent crimes, not all undocumented immigrants. "Some of the feedback I've gotten back on this bill is what kind of door does this open up? It doesn't open a door. It is very narrowly focused in its scope and making sure we're first and foremost matching what the Trump administration said when it said we're going to primarily deal with violent criminal offenders," he said. In order to advance, it needs support from Republicans and Democrats as the House stares down a return to a tie next week. Rymer noted that the Laken Riley Act, which expanded the types of crimes for which noncitizens should face mandatory detention, received bipartisan support in Congress before Mr. Trump recently signed it into law. "I think this is a very reasonable proposal that should get broad bipartisan support as well," Rymer said.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New bill would require county attorneys to report undocumented immigrants
The Brief The Republican-sponsored bill would require county attorneys to report some undocumented immigrants. It would also require state agencies to turn over data on someone's immigration status, if asked. A legal expert questioned the bill's legality, pointing out that it would likely violate privacy laws. ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Republicans in the Minnesota House introduced a bill on Wednesday that would require county attorneys to report some undocumented immigrants. County attorneys require reporting The backstory The bill would require county attorneys to report to federal authorities any undocumented immigrant arrested on suspicion of committing a violent crime. That would require police officers to inquire about a person's immigration status, something the Minneapolis and St. Paul police departments have said they will not do. The bill would also require state agencies and employees to hand over data to federal authorities about someone's immigration status, if asked. In addition, the bill would outlaw ordinances that restrict or ban cooperation with federal law enforcement on immigration matters. What they're saying "I do anticipate a fair amount of pushback…" said Rep. Max Rymer (R-North Branch), who co-sponsored the bill. "It makes local law enforcement and municipalities communicate with immigration officials when it comes to illegal immigrants who are committing violent crimes." The Hennepin County Attorney's Office did not respond to a request for comment. The Ramsey County Attorney's Office did not have a comment. Dig deeper The bill is co-sponsored by GOP Reps. Rymer, Natalie Zeleznikar (Fredenberg Township), Scott Van Binsbergen (Montevideo), Jeff Dotseth (Kettle River) and Bernie Perryman (St. Augusta). However, legal experts say the bill would likely violate privacy laws. "Legally, there are potentially some conflicts of law," said Ana Pottratz Acosta, a professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul. For example, she said the bill could potentially run afoul of federal health and education privacy laws. But she also said it would make policing more challenging. "Requiring assistance or cooperation with federal immigration enforcement – it's going to negatively impact community policing efforts," she said. What's next The bill remains in committee, and it's unclear when or if it will advance to a vote in the Minnesota House.
