 Minneapolis is a Welcoming City – a place where all should feel safe, respected and included, regardless of immigration status. The City of Minneapolis works hard to put these values into policy and practice because we know that when everyone in our city feels like they belong, we all benefit.
You can find information from our community partners on the City website. Some of that information includes:
- What to know in interactions with ICE (federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement):
- How to prepare:
- Make a plan to prepare your family.
- Carry a “know-your-rights” card.
- Keep your immigration papers on you at all times.
- Meet with a lawyer to learn about your immigration options.
- Learn how to prepare for an immigration encounter. Attend a workshop, information session or community hours.
Visit the City’s website to learn all this and more.
Immigrant and Refugee Affairs community office hours
The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) hosts community office hours at the South Minneapolis CareerForce Center at 777 E. Lake Street. You can stop by on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2 – 4 p.m.
Check the OIRA events calendar in case of cancellations and holidays.
Share the know-your-rights graphic in five languages
You can download and share the City's know-your-rights graphic on social media in English, Spanish, Somali, Oromo and Hmong.
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December 10 is Human Rights Day, and December 18 is International Migrants Day.
Human Rights Day honors the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an international treaty that recognizes the rights we all hold as humans. International Migrants Day marks the date that the United National General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and their Families, enshrining into international law the link between migration and fundamental human rights. The United States has signed both of these important international agreements.
This year, in recognition of Human Rights Day and International Migrants Day, the City of Minneapolis is partnering with the City of St. Paul to host a citizenship workshop. Attendees can learn about citizenship rights, the citizenship application process and what it means to be a naturalized US citizen.
Citizenship workshop
Saturday, December 13, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sign up online
Location information provided upon registration
For questions please call 612-673-3129 or visit the City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs website.
Get important updates at the Twin Cities immigration forum
The City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) in partnership with the City of Saint Paul Immigrant and Refugee Program hosts a biweekly immigration forum to offer immigration-related updates to the community.
The topics covered include:
- Federal immigration news and resources.
- City, community and advocacy organization updates.
- Other topics important to immigrant, refugee and new American communities.
Find dates on the OIRA events calendar.
Get a link to the meeting series by emailing oira@minneapolismn.gov.
Learn more about the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) at minneapolismn.gov/oira.
Find resources and know your immigration rights on the City website.
City welcomes new African American community specialist
The Neighborhood and Community Relations Department is excited to welcome our new African American community specialist, Iliah Grant.
A native of both North and South Minneapolis, Iliah brings more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of education, communications, community engagement and social justice. Before joining the City, she worked supporting immigrant and diverse families through their employment and education journeys. Over the years, she has served on the boards of nonprofits that uplift community voices and has consulted organizations on diversity, equity and inclusion practices. Her earlier career was spent in elementary education, supporting BIPOC students and families through culturally responsive teaching.
In this role, Iliah will focus on advancing the City’s racial equity goals, community engagement and inclusivity. She will work collaboratively across departments and with external partners to strengthen trust, enhance communication and support initiatives that improve outcomes for African American communities across the city.
Iliah is passionate about equity, culturally competent storytelling and building bridges across communities. She is thrilled to join NCR and looks forward to deepening relationships and advancing opportunities for Black residents across Minneapolis.
Northside Residents Redevelopment Council is hiring
The Northside Residents Redevelopment Council (NRRC), the neighborhood organization for the Near North and Willard Hay neighborhoods, is hiring for an administrative/outreach position. Read the NRRC job description and apply.
The City Council recently approved a standalone ADA Title II policy that acknowledges the rights of individuals with disabilities through compliance with Title II of the ADA, as amended, in addition to applicable state and local laws. The ADA provides people with disabilities equal access and full participation in City of Minneapolis programs, services, and activities.
Additionally, the City posted an updated ADA Action Plan. The plan details how the City of Minneapolis meets the policy requirements.
The City updated its plan after a year-long public engagement process involving surveys, community conversations and public comments. You can read the engagement summary and findings on the ADA Action Plan webpage.
Please contact Guthrie Byard, community specialist for people with disabilities with any questions.
 The City of Minneapolis shares important news and updates in English, Spanish, Somali, Oromo and Hmong over community radio stations and two television programs.
You can see the upcoming schedule for these shows on the City website.
 One public hearing remains to provide feedback on Mayor Jacob Frey’s recommended 2026 City budget.
City budget public hearing
6:05 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. (The City Council will vote on adopting the budget following the hearing.) Public Service Center, 250 Fourth St. S., Room 350
Learn how to participate in public hearings.
Comments can also be submitted at the City’s website.
Visit the City’s website to learn more about the mayor’s recommended 2026 budget, details of the 2025-2026 adopted budget, quick facts, an explainer video and more.
 The City of Minneapolis is seeking your feedback. We are gathering input about how the City can communicate more clearly, openly and in ways that matter to you.
This anonymous survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete. Your responses are confidential and no personal information will be collected.
The survey is available in four languages:
Thank you for participating and helping us improve City communication efforts!
Do you have questions or comments? Email us at communications@minneapolismn.gov
Read and share this article on the City website.
 When the City of Minneapolis declares a snow emergency, parking rules take effect so plows can clear the streets. Know the rules so you can help crews do a complete job, and so you can avoid a ticket and tow.
As of Nov. 30, a snow emergency is in effect.
Stay informed
- Call 612-348-SNOW (7669)
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Go to the City website for more detailed information and to sign up for text, email and phone alerts.
- Download the MPLS Parking smartphone app for alerts.
- Text MPLSALERTS to 77295 for snow emergency alerts.
Remember to shovel sidewalks and around garbage carts
It’s the law and the neighborly thing to do.
Read more about snow emergencies on the City website.
Heating assistance for Minnesotans
The State of Minnesota is urging eligible households to apply now for energy assistance through Minnesota’s federally funded Energy Assistance Program. The State recommends that households take the following steps to protect their heat and electricity from interruption:
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Apply for the Energy Assistance Program. This will make sure your household is in the system when funds are available. The program is accepting and processing applications.
- Set up a payment plan with each utility company to get shut-off protection. Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule offers some protection from utility shutoffs but requires households to set up and follow a payment plan. If you have questions, you can visit the Public Utilities Commission website or call 1-800-657-3782.
Visit the Citizens Utility Board website to find more resources.
Read more on the City website.
Protection from heat being shut off
The Cold Weather Rule is now in effect. The Cold Weather Rule means that if you can’t pay your home heat bill, your heat can’t be shut off Oct. 1-April 30. If you get a notice about disconnecting your primary heat source, make sure to immediately contact the utility and set up a payment plan.
Find resources on the State of Minnesota website. This information is available in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali.
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the Minneapolis minimum wage will adjust for inflation to $16.37 for all businesses
The minimum wage across the city of Minneapolis will adjust for inflation to $16.37 on January 1, 2026 for all businesses (regardless of business size).
Coverage depends on the physical location (in Minneapolis) of the employee while the employee is performing work.
For information about any of the City's labor standards, visit the City’s website, call 311 or email the Labor Standards Enforcement Division. To report a violation, submit details on the City website or call 311.
Minneapolis sending letters to properties with lead in water service lines
 Residents with a lead water service line are getting letters from the City. The water service line is the pipe that runs from the water main in the street to the meter inside a property and is owned by the property owner. The letter provides information about the water service line material, steps that can be taken to minimize lead exposure in drinking water, and an update on the City’s effort to replace lead water service lines. An interactive map of the water service line inventory can be viewed on the City’s website.
How we know our tap water is safe
Minneapolis takes steps to make sure our tap water is lead-free and safe to drink. The water is tested hundreds of times a day and is treated in a way that prevents lead from pipes from getting into the water.
Replacing lead service lines
Last year, using state and federal grant funds, we began proactively replacing lead service lines at no cost to the homeowner. We replaced around 400 lead service lines using grant funds in 2024 with a plan to replace 1,000 more this year. This effort will continue until we’ve replaced or attempted to replace every lead service line in the city. Replacement requires the property owner’s consent.
You can find more information on the City website.
City invests $14M in affordable housing, adds 126 new shelter beds as cold arrives
As winter arrives and the federal government cuts vital housing resources, the City of Minneapolis continues to expand on its record-setting commitment to providing safe and dignified affordable housing, while helping people experiencing homelessness get access to shelter and stability.
The City Council has awarded more than $14 million in direct investment, along with $1.7 million in 10-year federal housing tax credits, to jump-start 11 affordable rental housing projects. This money adds or preserves nearly 600 affordable homes for Minneapolis families, seniors, and residents exiting homelessness. It also adds 126 new shelter beds and 123 new units to help people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
Read more about the City’s response to homelessness on the City website.
Unless prescribed by a doctor, cannabis should never be consumed by children or pets. Store cannabis products safely and learn how to respond in an emergency.
Lock up cannabis products
- Store cannabis products in a locked place where your child and pets cannot see, reach or access them.
- Store cannabis products in their original child-resistant packaging and keep the label on.
- Store cannabis edibles separately from regular food and drink.
Symptoms to look for
If a child consumes a cannabis product, they may experience:
- Changes in behavior (including sleepiness, intense happiness, irritability, anxiety and/or paranoia)
- Rapid heart rate
- Nausea/vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Dizziness
- Poor coordination or uncontrollable movements
- Low energy
- Seizures
- Coma
If a child consumes cannabis that is not medically certified for them, immediately call a medical professional or the free Poison Control Center hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
Learn about cannabis and its health effects.
Share the flyer.
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 The City has launched a second Safe Station at Fire Station 7 to provide more access to recovery assistance where it’s needed most. Serving the Cedar-Riverside, Ventura Village and Seward neighborhoods, it’s one of the Fire Department’s busiest stations for overdose and other addiction-related calls. With nearly 500 overdose calls in 2024, expanding the program to this area was a priority.
Over the past two years, the Minnesota Addiction Recovery Initiative’s first Safe Station pilot program at Fire Station 14 has been an accessible, community-based resource for more than 7,500 people seeking help.
About the program
The Safe Station program is a partnership between the Minneapolis Fire Department and the Twin Cities Recovery Project. The goal is to increase access to recovery assistance in communities where it is needed most. A Safe Station provides peer support, treatment referrals, assessments and housing referrals.
Watch the video: A door always open: Minneapolis expands Safe Station recovery support.
Anyone who needs help can walk up to Fire Stations 7 or 14 and ask. No appointment, cost or judgement – we're here to help. Read the entire story and get more information on the City's website.
Resilience Centers now open: Providing in-person support and connection after tragedy
The City of Minneapolis has opened two Resilience Centers to serve community members during a time of healing. Following the tragedy at Annunciation Parish in August and a mass shooting in the Lake Street area in September, the City has opened two in-person centers where people can find support and resources after tragic events.
These centers are welcoming spaces where people can recover together, connect with neighbors, and access important resources. Both centers are operating in partnership with state, county and local organizations. All services are free of charge.
By helping people come together and provide access to the care they need, Resilience Centers strengthen our communities and build a foundation for long-term safety and healing across the city.
Resilience Center at Washburn Library
The Resilience Center at Washburn Library supports any community member affected by the tragedy at the Annunciation Parish. Services include:
- Applications for financial assistance through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Justice Programs
Find the hours and schedule on the City’s website.
This center is in a temporary space while plans are made for a more permanent location.
Resilience Center at Waite House
Following the Sept. 15 mass shooting on Lake Street, the Resilience Center at Waite House provides a place for people to find support and access help. Services include:
- Resources for people experiencing homelessness
- Information and connections to additional support
Find the hours and schedule on the City website.
 For a year now, the Lake Street Safety Center has provided vital resources, created a welcoming space for community members, and responded to community members’ needs. Hundreds of visitors have received information and direct access to support. The hub is designed for City, County, and community partners to work side by side and deliver services more efficiently.
Video
Watch a video about this welcoming space with vital resources for the community.
Read more about the Lake Street Safety Center on the City website.
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