At a special Richfield City Council meeting on Dec. 22, multiple residents spoke about recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area, and Acting City Manager Zach Tangvang clarified city practice and potential legal consequences for officers who interfered with federal immigration operations.

"I'm here to urge this council to support cooperation with ICE and policies that encourage self deportation," said Ashley Heirung, identifying herself as a Richfield resident. Heirung argued sanctuary policies shift burdens to local services and asked the council to "prioritize public safety, fiscal responsibility, and the rule of law by supporting cooperation with ICE."

Speaking after Heirung, Stephanie Kilpatrick Salazar, a Richfield resident and Richfield Public Schools teacher, described fear and disruption in classrooms and neighborhoods she attributed to ICE presence. "In the past two weeks, my family has experienced an increased amount of stress based on the presence of ICE in our community," Salazar said, saying students and families were afraid to leave their homes and that attendance and access to food had been affected.

Ava McKnight, another Richfield resident, told the council she hoped the city would "choose not to have ICE on public property" and described recent activity she characterized as "abductions." Justin Campbell, a resident, spoke on an unrelated topic and thanked the city's snow crews.

Tangvang responded during the city manager's report, saying the council had not changed its legislative platform language regarding violence prevention and addressing questions raised earlier in the meeting. "Our officers are not telling people that it is illegal to follow ICE vehicles for more than three blocks," Tangvang said, noting that characterization came from an ICE agent. He added that the city does not carry out immigration enforcement and that how ICE interprets obstruction of their operations is unclear.

Tangvang also warned of potential consequences for officers who interfere with federal enforcement: "If Richfield officers hinder or disrupt the federal immigration officials from conducting federal immigration enforcement, they could be charged with obstruction of justice." He said the police chief would be required to report misconduct through the POST board's electronic portal and that the board would review licensing and disciplinary questions.

No formal council action on immigration or local enforcement policy was taken at the meeting. The council proceeded to consider personnel-related resolutions later in the agenda and adjourned after votes on those items.