Committee re-refers bill on local cooperation with ICE after hours of debate

A Minnesota House committee voted 10-9 to re-refer House File 16 to the Elections, Finance and Government Operations Committee after extended debate over a bill that would restrict state and local limits on cooperation with federal immigration authorities and require county attorneys to report certain arrests to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The bill, presented by Representative Reimer, contains three sections: one bars Minnesota government entities from prohibiting receipt or transmission of federal immigration data; a second prevents local government entities from prohibiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities; and a third requires county attorneys to notify ICE if an undocumented person is arrested on suspicion of a violent crime, even if the county attorney later declines to prosecute.

Supporters led by Representative Reimer said the measure is narrowly targeted at violent offenders and is intended to align state practice with federal priorities. "This bill targets violent offenders. That is what this bill is designed to do," Representative Reimer said during the hearing.

Opponents — including prosecutors, victim advocates and several committee members — argued the bill is broader than its sponsors portray, could be used as a…