Brooklyn Park staff outline draft immigration protections, propose resolution and department policies

Mayor Winston called a special update on immigration policy and outreach as city staff presented draft language and next steps for a council action.

Human Resources Director Craig said Minneapolis and St. Paul rely on decades-old “separation” ordinances that limit employee inquiries into immigration status, and noted the practical challenges posed by I‑9 records: “We have the legal authority to ask for that information,” Craig said, describing how employers collect I‑9 documents, how those copies are retained in onboarding systems, and how staff must decide whether to continue storing copies or purge them to limit future disclosures.

The briefing explained three simultaneous tracks: an HR review of forms and retention, department-level updates to police and fire operating policies, and a communications and community outreach plan. Assistant City Manager Dr. Angel Smith and Communications Manager Arisika Adesogan described a package of outreach: translated FAQs in English, Spanish, Hmong, Vietnamese and Somali; planned virtual and in-person community events in February…