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January 16, 2025 (MINNEAPOLIS) Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara announced today that the Minneapolis Police Department policy related to Police Authority in Immigration Matters has been updated. The policy has been in practice at MPD for more than 20 years and clearly states the MPD will not be involved in the enforcement of federal immigration law.
Chief O'Hara said the policy update is designed to offer clear guidance to officers during a time when community concerns are particularly prominent. The updated policy includes revised language, adds a section on MPD U Visa/T Visa Certification, and provides examples of acceptable identification forms, such as foreign government-issued ID cards, consular identification cards, and national ID cards.
“I recognize that the fear of deportation prevents some people from calling police in times of need or to report crime," said Chief O'Hara. “I want to be clear that enforcement of civil immigration laws falls exclusively with the federal government—it is not the job of the MPD. Any participation in immigration enforcement would have a chilling effect on our commitment to bias-free, community-oriented policing. I also want to be clear that the MPD will continue to address any criminal behavior that threatens the safety or wellbeing of others—regardless of immigration status.”
The updated policy explicitly states that MPD does not operate its programs for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws. It also prohibits officers from questioning any person about their immigration status. This policy aligns with Minneapolis Ordinance § 19.30 which prohibits undertaking “any law enforcement action for the purpose of detecting the presence of undocumented persons, or to verify immigrations status,” with the narrow exception of enforcing criminal laws related to human trafficking and smuggling where immigration status is an element of the crime.
1-16-2025 Minneapolis Police Update Policy to Provide Clear Guidance to Officers Regarding Authority in Immigration Matters.pdf
9-400 Immigration Matters.pdf
SO25-002 9-400 Immigration Matters.pdf
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