Alleged illegal alien allegedly murders 3 in Coon Rapids: Now MN wants to become a sanctuary state
HF 2860, if passed into law, would make Minnesota the nation’s 13th sanctuary state. The bill was introduced by Rep. Sandra Feist (DFL-New Brighton), the Vice Chair of the House public safety committee that will hear the bill. The bill would prohibit state and local law enforcement and judicial authorities from cooperating with Federal immigration agencies.
In Minnesota, Hennepin and Nobles are already sanctuary counties. The bill would extend the practice statewide. Hennepin County includes the state’s largest city, Minneapolis.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune is reporting that officials from the already sanctuary areas of Minneapolis and Hennepin County are backing the extension of sanctuary status to the rest of the state.
The companion bill in the Senate (SF 2724) is being offered by Sen. Omar Fateh (DFL-Minneapolis).
Deena Winter of MN Reformer reported yesterday on Rep. Feist’s efforts. Gov. Walz is said to be on board. WInter reports on one exception in the bill,
Under the proposal, local and state agencies wouldn’t be able to collaborate with or share data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, to enforce immigration laws, but could still do so to investigate criminal activity.
In fact, the bill extends well beyond ICE to ban cooperation with Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, and other Federal agencies. (Lines 1.15-1.19)
Under the bill “state and local agencies” covers any employee of state or local government, including teachers. (Lines 1.20-2.8)
Under the bill (Line 2.25), no state or local employee could “stop, question, investigate, detain, detect, report, or arrest a person.”
It further would not allow (Line 2.26) any employee to
respond to a hold, notification, civil immigration warrant, or transfer request from federal immigration authorities, including but not limited to a detainer request made by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The “investigation exception” (begins at line 4.21) does not, in fact, allow for investigations, criminal or otherwise. It merely affirms that state and local officials must provide public data when requested by Federal authorities.
Let’s see how this bill would operate with three real-life situations.
I recently wrote about the case of Alonzo Mingo, the former UPS driver accused of murdering three people in a Coon Rapids home. He was reportedly the subject of an ICE detainer. He is currently being held in Anoka County jail. There is currently a U.S. Marshals’ hold on his release.
Should Mr. Mingo post bail, the sanctuary bill would clearly require Anoka County to block his apprehension by the Feds.
It’s been widely reported that a known middle-eastern terrorist slipped through the border near San Diego and roamed America for a year before being apprehended last month in Minneapolis. Law enforcement in Minneapolis and Hennepin County are already prohibited from cooperating with ICE. The sanctuary bill would extend this to all state officials.
Under the bill, no person in Minnesota could assist in capturing a known international terrorist.
Finally, we come to the Bemidji house of horrors. “Texas man” Oscar Luna is accused of the brutal rape in September 2023 of an 11-year-old Native-American girl. Luna, whose immigration status is unknown, is still being held in Beltrami County jail.
At the Bemidji home/crime scene where Luna was arrested, eleven (11) illegal immigrants were taken into custody by U.S. Border Patrol. Their whereabouts are unknown.
Border Patrol only became aware of the presence of the 11 when notified by Bemidji police. Under the proposed sanctuary law, they would never have been apprehended.
The sanctuary bill is framed as a matter of compassion. Compassion for whom?
The bill is being marketed as the “North Star Act” and an official rally has been scheduled for Monday, February 12, at the state capitol building. It’s to begin at 11 am on the first day of the legislature’s 2024 session.