Robbinsdale Leaders Seek to Clarify City Code to Separate Powers in Wake of Immigration Raids

Robbinsdale City Council is considering an ordinance to specifically outline city services, response, and enforcement capabilities in response to repeated actions during this winter’s Operation Metro Surge.

Robbinsdale City Council at its Feb. 17 meeting.

“When we talk about enforcement, what we’re seeing out in the community is terribly sad, and has a detriment to the community in a number of capacities,” said City Manager Tim Sandvik. “We want to be sure that we communicate out that we want to be a trusted resource.” Sandvik reiterated earlier statements that the city is not in the immigration enforcement business.

“The city, across the board, has no role in immigration enforcement. It’s not something we ask for, we don’t ask for status, and that includes your police department, that includes us at city hall. If you’re coming in to pull a permit, whatever you may be doing, if you’re participating in parks programming, or recreation activities, and that message is so important to us because we want to continue to be a trusted resource,” said Sandvik.

On February 17, the city council passed first reading of an ordinance that would codify language about the city’s role–and the use of any and all city resources–as it pertains to those law enforcement actions delineated by U.S. Code and state statutes, Sandvik said.”

‘It really gives us…a local law defining, operationally, what city staff can do, what city staff can not do,” he said.

Second reading will be in March.

Robbinsdale

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