A sheriff from east-central Minnesota has suggested that the negative attitude of Democratic officials towards Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is pushing other sheriffs away, creating what he describes as “chaos.” Mille Lacs County Sheriff Kyle Barton expressed to a news foundation that if Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz and other leaders, like Attorney General Keith Ellison and those in Minneapolis, want to handle the rise in deportations effectively, they should consider partnering with ICE.
According to Barton, one out of every nine local law enforcement agencies in Minnesota has entered into a contract with ICE, allowing the agency to arrest individuals living in the country illegally and facilitate their transfer for immigration law violations. This agreement, which covers several counties and cities, came about after former President Donald Trump took office, as indicated by ICE records.
Barton remarked, “Immigration enforcement will occur regardless of our feelings about it. I felt it was necessary to address how this would unfold in my county.” He noted his intention was to avoid situations where immigration enforcement actions were taken without the knowledge or input of local law enforcement, a scenario that has led to unrest in places like Minneapolis.
Requests for comments from Walz’s office, Ellison’s office, and the Minneapolis city government went unanswered. Previously, the Walz Department of Corrections defended criticism from Trump, emphasizing compliance with ICE detention requests. Tensions flared significantly in Minneapolis when immigration agents shot two protestors back in January, leading to the announcement that 700 federal workers would be leaving Minnesota.
Legal Challenges
The 287(g) agreement, which allows local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE, has faced heavy criticism from officials like Ellison and groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The ACLU has initiated a lawsuit against the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, claiming the agreement grants excessive authority to local police. In the same month, Ellison issued a legal opinion suggesting that state law prohibits sheriffs from approving arrests without county commissioner consent, alongside preventing local officers from detaining individuals merely at ICE’s request.
Barton, however, maintains a firm stance on continuing to cooperate with ICE, stating, “I disagree with the Attorney General. His opinion does not hold the weight of a judge or a legislator.” While some sheriffs indicated they would no longer regard the ICE contract as valid due to this legal opinion, counties like Crow Wing have indicated no plan for alteration.
Moreover, the Minnesota State Bar Association declined a different ICE agreement proposed by the sheriff, which would have allowed ICE additional time to take custody of inmates in local jails. Barton believes that working alongside federal agents enhances accountability, promotes consistent procedures, and mitigates potential misunderstandings.
He drew parallels between the situation in Minnesota and failed communication between government agencies in the past. “We’re experiencing similar issues again on the streets of Minneapolis,” he stated, noting that local leaders have clearly expressed their reluctance to collaborate with any immigration enforcement efforts.
Tricia McLaughlin from the Department of Homeland Security echoed that without community support, there may be increased presence of ICE agents. She emphasized that when local authorities refuse to work with federal law enforcement, it undermines community safety and resources. McLaughlin asserted a desire for more local law enforcement agencies to engage in agreements with ICE, emphasizing the necessity of these partnerships in tackling crime effectively.
