Minnesota Attorney General Disputes ICE Agreement Claims
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison clarified on Thursday that no new agreement exists with the federal government regarding county jails’ notification to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about inmate release dates. This statement counters previous assertions made by border enforcement official Tom Homan.
In his statement, Ellison noted, “I do not have and could not enter into any agreement with the sheriff regarding how he shares information about people in county jails with ICE.” His office emphasized that Minnesota law mandates only state prisons, not county jails, to inform federal authorities when individuals without legal status are convicted of felonies.
County jails operate independently under the authority of sheriffs, who determine whether to communicate release notifications and detainer requests to ICE.
Minneapolis Mayor’s Call for Change
Homan claimed that he was informed by Ellison earlier that day that county jails could alert ICE about potentially harmful inmates’ release dates.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for a comment on this situation. Homan, who was dispatched to Minnesota earlier in the week, expressed his commitment to directing ICE operations in the region “until the problem is resolved,” referring to the rising tensions in Minneapolis. He made these remarks during a press conference, marking his first appearance since being assigned to the area by President Trump.
Mixed Reactions to ICE Operations
During the press conference, Homan described his meeting with Ellison as “very productive” and asserted that the Attorney General had consented to inform ICE when local jails release individuals who are violent and unlawfully present.
“One ICE officer can arrest one bad guy when he’s inside the jail, when he’s known to be unarmed, behind the security of the jail,” Homan pointed out. “But when you reintegrate an illegal alien who threatens public safety, we have a job to do. We’re going to arrest him, and we’re going to find him,” he emphasized.
Call for Unity Against Hostility
Homan discussed the complications that arise when federal agents must operate outside of jail facilities, stating, “So what’s going to happen is we’re going to have to arrest someone on the turf who knows who has what weapons.” He advocated for a reduction in hostile rhetoric directed at ICE personnel and assured that ICE agents would remain active in the Twin Cities to fulfill their responsibilities.
Homan underscored Trump’s desire to address these issues and his intent to collaborate with local authorities to achieve resolutions.
Trump had sent Homan to the state in response to violent confrontations between anti-ICE protesters and federal agents, incidents that tragically resulted in the deaths of two individuals, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Preti.
