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Dear Neighbors,
Donald Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement is carrying out what may be the largest occupation by federal agents in history, and its operations in Minnesota are deeply undermining the safety of local communities. Contrary to narratives from the Trump administration, these actions are disrupting Minnesotans’ daily lives and making us less safe.
In the course of these operations, ICE agents have now shot two people, including the killing of Renee Nicole Good. Renee was a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident who leaves behind three children. She should still be with us.
The lack of humanity ICE is exhibiting is deeply disturbing. Other examples of ICE’s lawlessness include: arresting and detaining U.S. citizens and those of lawful status – even Native people – without reason or due process; going door-to-door seeking information on immigrant neighbors; bringing chaos and fear to schools, daycares, workplaces, places of worship, and hospitals; deploying chemical irritants at busy intersections and streets; crashing cars and in some cases leaving them in “drive” on busy streets once they’ve apprehended their target; and I could go on. None of this is normal, and much of it is unconstitutional. Further, experienced law enforcement leaders have noted significant concerns about training, use of force, and the erosion of constitutional rights in the field.
Donald Trump has admitted these actions aren’t in the pursuit of safety, but rather are rooted in retribution. Attorney General Keith Ellison, the City of Minneapolis, and the City of Saint Paul have sued the Trump administration to end this surge of agents in our state. It’s time for this administration to end this reckless overreach and quit terrorizing our communities.
Today at noon, local and state elected officials are joining together to share news and crisis resources with the public. The briefing will be live on YouTube here.
I wanted to share some resources that may be helpful during the ICE occupation.
House DFL Toolkit: links to a variety of trusted organizations with information about protecting your civil rights, legal assistance, and help available with housing, health, and other essentials during these difficult times.
AG Ellison Federal Action Reporting: Attorney General Keith Ellison has created an online reporting form where Minnesotans can document how federal actions in our state have affected them or someone they know, and share accounts of events they have personally witnessed. Information submitted will help the Attorney General’s Office assess the overall picture of federal overreach, and play an important role in efforts to uphold state law, protect Minnesotans’ rights, and challenge illegal or unconstitutional federal actions.
ACLU-MN: The ACLU is also looking to document any unlawful conduct, including warrantless stops, racial profiling, and detention by federal agents.
In the wake of Renee Good’s killing, Vice President Vance went so far as to say ICE agents have “absolute immunity.” This is an outlandish, untrue statement, and Renee’s family deserves justice, including an investigation that includes local investigators. If the federal system falls short, it’s up to state leaders to look for solutions.
This coming session, I plan to introduce a bill to strengthen justice for Minnesotans when their constitutional rights are violated by federal officials. The bill creates a state-level cause of action that empowers residents to seek monetary damages. Potential examples include speech suppression in violation of the First Amendment, unlawful searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment, equal protection violations under the Fifth Amendment, excessive use of force, and property destruction.
If the U.S. Constitution is to remain anything more than a piece of paper, the rights within it must be protected, with real consequences for government actors when they violate them. I spoke with WCCO News about my proposal.
 Please continue to be in touch if I can ever be of help. These are difficult times, but as Minnesotans standing together, we will get through them. I am incredibly proud of how neighbors are standing up for one another and hope we can continue to be a strong, vibrant, and resilient community, no matter how Donald Trump perceives us.
It’s an honor to represent you at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Rep. Jamie Long
DFL Floor Leader, Minnesota House of Representatives
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