Rep. Max Reimer introduces House File 16 to require reporting of noncitizen violent‑crime suspects to federal immigration authorities

Rep. Max Reimer, state representative for District 28B (Chisago County), introduced House File 16 during a House Public Safety Committee hearing, saying the proposal would require that noncitizens arrested on suspicion of specified violent crimes be reported to federal immigration authorities and would prevent state and local entities from prohibiting federal immigration enforcement.

Reimer described the bill as “very narrowly focused” and said it “accomplishes two main things”: mandatory reporting of certain arrested noncitizen suspects to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and a prohibition on state and local policies that would restrict or interfere with federal immigration enforcement. “What this bill does is it makes sure that we have an open line of communication between local authorities and the federal government in dealing with violent or dangerous criminals in our community,” he said.

According to Reimer’s description during the hearing, the categories of offenses the bill would cover include murder, assault, domestic assault, crimes committed for the benefit of a gang, robbery, carjacking and kidnapping; the transcript also lists an additional category described as “criminal conduct” without further detail. Reimer said the measure is intended to mirror federal priorities that focus on violent criminal offenders and to help “keep our community safe.”

Reimer told the committee the bill comes “on the heels of the Minneapolis mayor, the Hennepin County attorney, [and] the Minneapolis police chief all openly defying the federal government in their effort to curb illegal immigration in our communities,” framing HF 16 as a reinforcement of local reporting responsibilities.

A committee member asked whether federal‑level efforts — the Minneapolis FBI’s cooperation with federal officials was mentioned in the hearing — were sufficient and what additional steps local authorities would have to take. Reimer replied that testimony planned for the hearing would show current local practices are inadequate where officials are refusing to cooperate, and that the bill “reaffirm[s] our role and responsibility … at the law enforcement level, to report these people.” When asked whether Democratic colleagues planned to support the measure, Reimer said he had not yet heard from many DFL members and that he was open to changes and discussions as the session continued.

No formal vote was recorded during the portion of the hearing in the transcript; Reimer said the bill would be heard in Public Safety and then go to Government Operations. The committee did not take final action on HF 16 during the excerpts recorded in the transcript.

The hearing included brief question-and-answer exchanges and limited floor time on the bill; committee members and other testifiers were expected later in the session but are not captured in the provided transcript excerpt.