Mankato City Council Continues Response to Public Call to Action at January 12th Meeting
The Mankato City Council on Monday signaled strong support for a series of actions aimed at responding to heightened Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in south-central Minnesota, unanimously directing staff to pursue new policies and legal steps following weeks of intense public concern. The council instructed the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would require federal law enforcement agents operating in Mankato to clearly identify themselves, disclose the agency they work for, refrain from wearing masks and use body cameras that record their actions. The ordinance will be brought back for formal consideration at a future meeting.
Council members also voted unanimously to authorize the city attorney to prepare an amicus, or “friend of the court,” brief in support of a lawsuit filed by Minneapolis, St. Paul and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. The lawsuit seeks to halt what it describes as an unconstitutional escalation of federal immigration enforcement, known as “Operation Metro Surge,” which has brought thousands of additional agents into the state. If accepted by the court, Mankato’s filing would outline how recent ICE activity has impacted the city. City officials cautioned that the court must first allow the brief and that the lawsuit’s outcome remains uncertain.
Monday’s actions followed more than two hours of public testimony, with a standing-room-only crowd returning to council chambers two weeks after a meeting that drew more than 300 residents demanding immediate action. While emotions were less volatile than during the Jan. 12 meeting, speakers again shared personal accounts and concerns about fear in the community, particularly among immigrant families and students. Several residents described witnessing ICE operations, while others urged city leaders to take a stronger stand despite legal risks. The meeting was held just days after another Minneapolis resident was fatally shot during an ICE operation, further intensifying calls for action.
City Attorney Pam Whitmore presented an extensive legal memo outlining what the city can and cannot do under state and federal law. She emphasized that Mankato does not assist ICE in immigration enforcement and is not required to do so, but also warned that the city is limited in its ability to block federal agents from carrying out their duties. Whitmore noted that certain actions — including physically interfering with agents or broadly warning the public about ICE activity — could expose the city or individuals to criminal charges or loss of federal funding. Her memo reviewed similar ordinances and policies adopted in other cities, many of which focus on limiting the use of city resources rather than restricting federal operations outright.
The council also directed staff to explore ways the city could support residents who are afraid to leave their homes to obtain groceries or prescription medications, potentially through grants to nonprofit organizations. City Manager Susan Arntz said staff will examine possible funding sources and return with recommendations next month. Several additional steps are already underway, including the development of a resource page on the city’s website with information on residents’ rights, public safety protocols and links to local support services. While acknowledging the uncertainty of the broader national debate, council members said Monday’s actions reflect a commitment to respond to community concerns and continue evaluating what measures are legally and practically possible at the local level.
