A fierce dispute is escalating between federal authorities and Minnesota officials over the release of individuals held on immigration detainers. The Department of Homeland Security alleges that over 470 people with criminal records have been released back into Minneapolis, despite federal requests to hold them for potential deportation.
The core of the conflict lies in a refusal by Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey to fully cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). DHS officials claim this policy endangers public safety, arguing that individuals with serious criminal histories are being allowed to roam free.
The tension reached a boiling point following a fatal shooting involving an ICE official in Minneapolis, prompting Mayor Frey to demand ICE agents leave the city and Governor Walz to ask the federal government to “leave Minnesota alone.” These actions were followed by an executive order restricting federal operations on city property and strengthened local ordinances aimed at protecting undocumented immigrants.
Minnesota’s Attorney General maintains that state law prevents holding individuals solely on ICE detainers, a civil request rather than a criminal warrant. However, federal officials point to a tragic case in a neighboring state where a previously released individual with an active detainer went on to commit a homicide, highlighting the potential consequences of non-compliance.
Governor Walz’s office vehemently denies the DHS accusations, stating that the state Department of Corrections honors all detainers and proactively notifies ICE of upcoming releases, offering opportunities for transfer. They emphasize that ICE is ultimately responsible for arranging the actual pickup of detainees.
Currently, 207 individuals within the Minnesota prison system are subject to ICE detainers. Meanwhile, a surge of federal immigration officials has been deployed to the Twin Cities, with plans for expanded deportation efforts, including door-to-door operations.
DHS has begun publicly detailing cases of individuals arrested during the increased enforcement, labeling them the “worst of the worst.” This includes individuals facing charges of sex offenses against children, murder, drug trafficking, and even making terroristic threats.
Among those highlighted are Leny Odemel Ramirez-Santos, charged with sex offenses against a child, Edwin Amable Ashca Ninasuta, facing charges related to sexual acts with a minor, and German Adriano Llangari Inga, charged with homicide. The list also includes individuals previously ordered deported who remained in the country and were subsequently arrested for new crimes.
The situation has revealed a stark disagreement over immigration policy and public safety, with both sides firmly entrenched in their positions. Federal officials warn of the dangers posed by releasing criminal aliens, while state and local leaders defend their commitment to protecting immigrant communities and upholding state law.
Adding to the complexity, authorities have reported arresting nearly a dozen individuals in Minneapolis with prior convictions for homicide, many of whom had previously been ordered deported. This underscores the challenges of enforcing immigration laws and the potential risks associated with releasing individuals with criminal records.
