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January 23, 2026
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Editor's Note: The City of Saint Paul is launching a new citywide newsletter for our community.
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Dear Saint Paul Community Members,
Thank you for staying engaged with what’s happening in Saint Paul. I read your messages, hear your concerns, and I’m committed to responding — whether you’re sharing a problem that needs fixing, an idea to make our city stronger, or a question about what comes next. This newsletter is one way we’ll stay connected: sharing timely updates, pointing you to resources, and following up on what you’ve told us matters most. Please keep reaching out. Your voice helps shape the work we do every day.
- Mayor Kaohly Her
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We stand with our immigrant and refugee neighbors. Recent federal immigration enforcement actions in Saint Paul have caused concern for many. We are committed to ensuring Saint Paul is a safe, welcoming and inclusive city for all of us.
Please note: The City of Saint Paul and our Saint Paul Police Department will not cooperate with or facilitate enforcement actions or ask for immigration documentation or status.
You can find resources and information at stpaul.gov/immigration-resources.
Saint Paul Joins Lawsuit Against Department of Homeland Security
On January 12, the City of Saint Paul joined the City of Minneapolis and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to file a federal lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and related agencies and officials. The lawsuit asks the court to end the unprecedented surge of DHS agents (including ICE) into Minnesota and declare it unconstitutional and unlawful. It also seeks a temporary restraining order, citing the immediate harm the state and cities are facing.
Watch the full press conference with Mayor Her, Mayor Frey, and Attorney General Ellison here.
Information from the Saint Paul Police Department (SPPD)
SPPD is responding by focusing on safety, clear information, and community trust.
If you see suspicious activity, witness a crime, or feel unsafe, call 911. For non-emergencies and to file a police report, call 651-291-1111 or contact your local SPPD district.
The Saint Paul Police Department does not ask about immigration status, does not enforce civil immigration law, and does not arrest or detain people based on immigration status. Officers will be in uniform or have clear SPPD markings, and SPPD will respond if you have concerns about the legitimacy of law enforcement officers or suspicious individuals. Find a helpful resource below identifying standard uniforms for City of Saint Paul employees.
For additional context on this moment and Saint Paul’s approach, watch the press conference featuring Saint Paul Police Chief Axel Henry, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt, and other Twin Cities law enforcement leaders calling for accountability and common ground.
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With increased federal immigration enforcement activity in the Twin Cities, it’s important to know your rights. Here's what to know if immigration agents come to your home:
- ICE cannot enter your home without a warrant signed by a judge.
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You do not have to open the door. You can ask agents to show the warrant through a window or under the door.
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An ICE "administrative warrant" is not enough. Only a judge-signed warrant allows entry into your home.
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If there is no valid judge-signed warrant, you have the right to keep your door closed. Learn how to identify a judicial warrant.
Find additional resources in multiple languages at stpaul.gov/immigration-resources.
Immigration Legal Defense Fund
The City of Saint Paul and Ramsey County have a dedicated Immigration Legal Defense Fund. This service is provided by a collaborative of the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM), The Advocates for Human Rights (AHR), and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA). The collaborative will represent clients who:
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Do not have legal representation
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Are detained and face removal
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Earn less than 200% of the poverty guidelines
Potential clients may contact any of the following phone numbers:
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Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM): 651-641-1011
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The Advocates for Human Rights (AHR): 612-341-9845
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Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA): 612-334-5970
Additional Resources
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With multiple federal agencies in the area, it may be helpful to know what City of Saint Paul staff uniforms look like — from police to animal services. Here are examples. City employees will not ask about your immigration status or participate in federal immigration enforcement activities. Saint Paul Police officers do not wear masks to hide their identity.
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Police Officer (Saint Paul Police Department) |
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Animal Services Officer (Department of Safety & Inspections) |
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Supervisor (Department of Safety & Inspections) |
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Supervisor - Alternative Uniform (Department of Safety & Inspections) |
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Fire Chief (Saint Paul Fire Department) |
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Firefighter (Saint Paul Fire Department) |
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Paramedic/EMS (Saint Paul Fire Department) |
Due to recent federal immigration enforcement actions and tactics, the City of Saint Paul is making a temporary change to how we respond to reports of abandoned vehicles on city streets. The City is taking this step to help reduce any additional burden on residents during an unprecedented time.
This temporary pause is a collaboration between the Saint Paul Police Department, Public Works, and the Department of Safety and Inspections.
What’s changing
- The City is temporarily pausing towing for most reported abandoned vehicles.
- If an abandoned vehicle has been towed and we are notified that the registered owner was detained, the City may be able to waive towing fees and may be able to reimburse eligible costs (as applicable).
- To request a fee waiver/reimbursement review, you may be asked to provide proof of vehicle ownership and documentation of detention.
- Some towing exceptions apply (e.g. safety hazards, snow emergencies, pilot areas, and other urgent or emergency situations).
What is considered an abandoned vehicle?
- The City has a year-round ordinance that does not allow people to park vehicles on the street in the same spot for more than 48 hours.
- A vehicle can be considered “abandoned” if it is parked on the streets and has not moved in more than 48 hours.
- Some items that might indicate a vehicle is abandoned: vehicle is visibly inoperable (e.g. no tires), is still covered with snow with no recent snowfall, has visible windrows of snow around it where the plows went around the vehicle, no tire tracks in the snow).
- Abandoned vehicles can either be reported to the Saint Paul Police and/or Saint Paul Police can ticket and tow any vehicle that appears to be abandoned.
Learn more at stpaul.gov/abandoned-vehicles.
 To help provide more clarity around interactions with us, the Saint Paul Police Department will only use marked vehicles to conduct routine traffic stops for the time being.
Marked Saint Paul Police vehicles are our traditional black and white squads, traffic squads with an SPPD badge on the passenger door, and the shadow squad (we only have one of these).
You can find more information and resources regarding SPPD and immigration enforcement in the City of Saint Paul at stpaul.gov/police.
Remember: Any suspicious, dangerous, or unlawful activity should be reported to us immediately so that we can respond. When in doubt, call 911.
The Saint Paul City Council announced it will introduce a series of ordinances and policy updates in response to recent federal immigration enforcement actions, working in coordination with the Mayor’s Office to clarify the City’s role and responsibilities.
Rather than waiting to revise the City’s existing separation ordinance all at once, the Council will move forward with phased updates to address urgent concerns while ensuring legal durability and transparency. This approach reflects changing federal enforcement tactics since November 25, 2025, and the need for swift local action.
On January 21, 2026, the Council introduced an ordinance prohibiting the use of City-owned parking lots and property to stage federal immigration enforcement activities. Additional near-term actions will also be discussed at that meeting.
The Council emphasized that these updates do not alter federal law, interfere with lawful federal enforcement, or prevent compliance with valid warrants or court orders. Instead, they clarify the City’s authority under local law and aim to provide clear protections for residents.
Further information, including draft ordinances and meeting dates, will be shared as the legislative process continues at stpaul.gov/council.
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Mayor Kaohly Her took office on January 2, 2026 as the City of Saint Paul’s 47th mayor and first woman and Asian American to hold the position. Mayor Her was born in the mountains of Laos and came to the United States as a refugee at age three.
A finance professional, non-profit executive, stay-at-home mom, school board administrator, and State Representative, Mayor Her brings her years of lived experience across different sectors to help Saint Paul move forward.
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We’re excited to announce the launch of a major redesign for StPaul.gov. This redesign isn’t just a fresh coat of paint—it’s a reimagining of how people navigate City services online. We’ve listened to feedback, studied user behavior, and built a system that reflects how people actually search, scan, and solve problems on the web.
The design is powered by Confluence — the City of Saint Paul’s new official design system. Learn more about what’s changed and why it matters at stpaul.gov/redesign.
Resources and Help (always-on)
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The 140th Saint Paul Winter Carnival kicked off this week! Since 1886, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival has fostered community, belonging, and connectedness through fun and educational experiences. With that mission in mind — and after careful consideration — the 2026 festival will move forward as planned.
Find additional events and activities
- January 16 to February 21 -
- January 18 to February 4 – (select Sundays and Wednesdays)
- January 22 to February 1 –
- January 24 to 25 - (advanced tickets required)
- January 25 -
- January 27, noon to 5 p.m. -
- February 1 -
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