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Todd County commissioners to draft resolution after county appears on ‘sanctuary’ list
Summary
Todd County commissioners agreed to direct staff and legal counsel to draft a formal resolution after the county was listed on a Department of Homeland Security “Sanctuary County” compilation; no resolution was adopted at the June 3 meeting and staff will bring a draft to the June 17 meeting.
Todd County commissioners on June 3 discussed plans to pursue a formal resolution after the county appeared on a publicly circulated list identifying jurisdictions described as “sanctuary counties.” Commissioners and staff said they are working with the sheriff’s office and county attorney to clarify why Todd County appeared on that list and to request removal.
The discussion matters because the listing has circulated in state and national media and county leaders said it has prompted calls to county officials and concern about public perception. County officials said they want a legally vetted, board-approved resolution to correct the record and to show cooperation with federal law enforcement where appropriate.
County Coordinator Jackie (last name not specified) told the board she would lead drafting the resolution and work with County Attorney Lindeman and Sheriff Mike Allen to prepare language for a future meeting. Jackie said she would “have it ready for the next board meeting” and commissioners set a target of the June 17 meeting for formal action. No vote or resolution was taken on June 3; the board added the item to the agenda as discussion-only when the meeting was amended earlier that morning.
Commissioners described an intense, immediate response after the listing appeared. Commissioners and staff reported a flurry of phone calls and emails over the prior days; the board said it received outreach from Representative Wiener and from other state contacts. Commissioners said they contacted an email address provided by the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) and received a response from the Department of Homeland Security indicating the county could request removal and that DHS would “work with you.” County officials said DHS subsequently pulled the list from its website.
Board members directed staff to coordinate with Sheriff Allen and County Attorney Lindeman to both request removal from the online list and to prepare a carefully worded resolution to be considered at the June 17 meeting. Jackie confirmed the draft resolution will be prepared with legal review before that meeting.
The board did not adopt language at the June 3 meeting. Commissioners said they want to ensure the resolution’s wording is legally reviewed and that any communications “dot the i’s and cross the t’s” before formal adoption. The board asked staff to continue communications with DHS and to coordinate a response with the sheriff and county attorney.
The board scheduled the resolution item for the June 17 meeting for possible formal action and instructed staff to return a draft resolution and a proposed communications plan.
Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are those who spoke during the June 3 Todd County Board of Commissioners meeting and are listed in the speakers section below.
