Olmsted County board issues statement of support for Somali and immigrant communities

Laurel Padauke Smith read a unanimously signed statement of support for Somali and immigrant communities, condemning disparaging rhetoric and reaffirming the county’s commitment to welcoming, protecting and serving all residents.

The statement—reviewed and signed by the board at the administrative committee level—calls on residents to extend care and allyship to neighbors who may be feeling fear or isolation and notes that immigrants contribute to the county’s strength and future. The statement was read aloud to the full board and accepted as a public record.