Brooklyn Park officials weigh policy, outreach after presidential immigration order

Brooklyn Park city leaders on Monday discussed how to respond to recent federal immigration actions after community members reported fear that enforcement activity could target local immigrant families.

City Manager Jay Schroeder said the city would move quickly to clarify local practice and communication. “We need to execute this in such a way that it's getting the word out to the people who need to hear that word,” Schroeder said as he outlined a draft Q&A, an updated resource page and outreach plans to trusted community partners.

The discussion centered on two tracks: policy language limiting city employees from asking about immigration status, and an outreach campaign to reassure residents and provide practical resources. Police Chief Burley described a review of the department’s existing policy — last substantially reviewed in 2016 — and said updated language would aim to make clear that routine Brooklyn Park police interactions do not include immigration enforcement. “We don't go with ICE to do searches. We don't report people from our jail to ICE. And we certainly don't ask out on the street in interactions if…