| Friends and Neighbors,
During times of uncertainty, I want to remind everyone to stay vigilant, look out for one another, and prioritize safety. My team and I are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to address concerns as they arise.
My goal is simple and unwavering: to keep Ward 4 and all of Minneapolis safe. If you see something that doesn’t feel right, say something. If you see something you believe should be shared, you can text a photo and message to 311 directly. (TEXT: (image) TO: 311) This is the quickest and most effective way to share information with the City. Please keep 911 available for emergencies only.
Protests and demonstrations have continued across the city, with people gathering near key sites such as the Whipple Federal Building and the area where the incident occurred. These actions reflect deep pain and urgency within our community as people seek transparency and justice.
As always, please exercise caution, respect public safety guidelines, and remain peaceful. If you choose to attend or observe, look out for one another, and keep lines of communication open.
Please know that my office is always here to support you, answer questions, and help connect you to the right information or services. We will continue working alongside our community to ensure transparency, safety, and care for everyone who calls Minneapolis home.
With gratitude and commitment,
Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw
Ward 4
With multiple federal agencies in town, you should be familiar with the unforms worn by City of Minneapolis employees. Here’s what they look like – from police to animal control.
Nobody in a City uniform will ever ask for your immigration status or participate with any federal immigration enforcement activity. Our officers do not wear masks to hide their identity.
We work for and with our community, not against them.
      
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To best serve our community, we will continue to ensure the City’s role is clear and transparent. On Dec. 3, Mayor Frey signed Executive Order 2025-02, blocking civil immigration enforcement operations from using any City-owned parking lots, ramps, garages, or vacant lots. On Dec. 11, the City’s separation ordinance was updated to codify Executive Order 2025-02, require training for City employee and add new reporting requirements.
We are taking action to reaffirm our commitment to standing with our immigrant and refugee communities. The policy distinguishes between the work MPD officers do, such as enforcing criminal laws, and the work they cannot do, such as immigration enforcement:.
Under MPD policy and the City's separation ordinance, , officers will not take any actions to determine, verify, or detect a person's immigration status, except in cases in which immigration status is an element of the crime, such as human trafficking or smuggling. The Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) is dedicated to community policing as a means of reducing crime while building community trust. Therefore, MPD will investigate criminal activity without regard to a person's actual or perceived immigration status. Doing otherwise would have a chilling effect on our ability to provide public safety to our community.
For example, MPD officers will not:
- Provide information to immigration enforcement agents for the purpose of locating a person solely for immigration enforcement actions.
- Remove or transport people in immigration enforcement proceedings.
- Assist with immigration enforcement at any immigration enforcement-related events.
- Participate in detaining people based solely on immigration status (like during a traffic stop or at a checkpoint) or assist in the enforcement of immigration laws
- Escort federal immigration agents to enforcement locations unless there is a clear and immediate threat to life, serious injury, or destruction of property.
- Close streets when there are no traffic or public safety issues unless there is a clear and immediate threat to life, serious injury, or destruction of property.
- Conduct crowd control when members of the public are peacefully assembling and exercising First Amendment rights, when no threat to public safety exists.
- Mask or shield their identities as officers when interacting with the public. The only exception is when officers are officially undercover for other purposes.
MPD might be dispatched to calls for service in incidents that could ultimately involve federal immigration enforcement. Such incidents may include reports of possible kidnappings, suspicious person calls, or situations involving tension between law enforcement and the community.
If there is call for help from a federal agency, MPD will respond if there are threats of violence, actual violence, life-threatening situations, or destruction of property. However, once everyone is safe, MPD will immediately leave the area. At these incidents, MPD officers do not operate under the direction of federal law enforcement.
Complying with MPD’s policy and the separation ordinance is mandatory. Violations are subject to discipline.
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With increased federal immigration activities, residents and community members are asking what to do if they see ICE in their neighborhood. Due to our City’s separation ordinance, MPD does not work with ICE on immigration enforcement operations and cannot interfere with those operations.
Call 911 right away if:
- You see someone with a gun and they are not wearing anything that identifies them as law enforcement.
- You hear gunshots or see someone firing a gun.
- Someone is being assaulted.
- A person is being taken by force into an unmarked vehicle and you don’t know if law enforcement is involved.
When you call 911, describe what you see. Officers may come to assess the situation.
Contact 311 to get more information
For non-emergency questions, call 311. Operators can explain what MPD does and does not do. Using 311 helps keep 911 available for life-threatening emergencies.
You can also email or text 311 using the mobile app. Learn more about how to contact 311
Important safety reminders
The City of Minneapolis is reminding community members not to interfere in any way with federal agents. Physically impeding or obstructing any ICE operation can lead to arrest or being charged with obstructing federal law enforcement.
For your safety:
- Do not engage or throw objects.
- You may record video, as long as you do not interfere.
Standing with our Latino community
With over 12,000 Latino-owned businesses in the metro area, fear is creating real consequences for immigrant and refugee community members. On Dec. 16, Mayor Frey and Police Chief Brian O'Hara stood with small business owners and faith leaders to speak about the damaging reality that federal immigration activity has caused in our city. We will continue to fight for dignity, safety, and a city where everyone can live and work without fear.
Optional signs to notify ICE you do not authorize using your private property for their operations
On Dec. 3, Mayor Frey signed an executive order prohibiting staging for civil immigration enforcement activities on any City-owned parking lots, ramps, garages or vacant lots. Private property owners and leaseholders can also post a notice stating they do not authorize their property to be used for certain immigration enforcement activities, such as staging for an operation.
The City created designs for signs, posters, stickers and window decals you can download and print. While the City is providing the designs, printing is your responsibility.
Note: If you use these signs, you’re doing so at your own discretion and assume any associated legal risks. The City cannot guarantee that these signs are legally enforceable in every situation. Do not physically fight with ICE agents regarding access to your property. Document their actions and follow up with a legal services provider.
Helpful links:
Other small business tips
Small businesses and other places of employment may encounter specific enforcement actions to be aware of and prepared for.
I-9 inspections
An I-9 inspection, also called an I-9 audit, is an administrative inspection process conducted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). During this process, a DHS agent will request specific business records to confirm that the business's employees have appropriate work authorization. Read more on I-9 Inspections.
ICE or federal action at the workplace
Immigration officials may come to a business with a warrant to locate or detain specific individuals or search a location. The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) offers a helpful guide for steps that employers can take if immigration officials come to your workplace. Find the NILC Guide for Employers.
Small business resource to access legal advice
The City of Minneapolis Business Technical Assistance Program (BTAP) refers eligible businesses to free legal advice from attorneys.
Contact the Small Business Team for a referral at smallbusiness@minneapolismn.gov or call 612-673-2499. You can also find answers to common questions from business owners related to immigration enforcement.
If you or someone you know is affected, there are resources available, including free legal clinics staffed by immigration attorneys.
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