Eden Prairie residents press council over ICE enforcement; mayor says city is pursuing regional and federal action
Loading...
Summary
Six residents described traumatic impacts from recent federal ICE enforcement during the unrecorded Open Podium. Council members expressed sympathy and said they are pursuing regional and federal engagement rather than an ordinance they believe would be unenforceable locally.
Six residents used the City’s Open Podium before the Feb. 10 Eden Prairie City Council meeting to describe the local effects of a recent federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement surge, including accounts of children emotionally harmed and parents worrying about lost income.
Mayor Ronald Case summarized the speakers and said the council had heard “very, heart wrenching, emotional, anecdotal stories” that prompted calls for local action. According to the mayor, residents asked the council to consider an ordinance limiting ICE from staging operations on public property. The mayor warned that while a city can pass such an ordinance “it may not be enforceable,” and cautioned against escalating a confrontation with federal agents.
Council member Narayan said he was moved by the testimonies and flagged broader community impacts: “The stories are heartwarming, especially the children’s trauma and how they affecting.” Narayan and other council members discussed immediate support options, including partnerships with local nonprofits and food assistance.
Mayor Case described steps the city is taking outside of local ordinance-making. He said Eden Prairie officials are working with a coalition of more than 20 suburban mayors, city managers and congressional offices to seek relief: “We’re working hard on this… Things are moving in the right direction.” The mayor said the city is seeking meetings with federal figures and is coordinating with other suburban leaders to press for change.
Council and staff also described local relief measures. The mayor said staff are in regular contact with Prop (People Reaching Out to People) and the school district and that the city can reallocate some Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) funds to help meet immediate needs. The council did not adopt any ordinance or formal restriction on federal activity at the meeting; instead, members endorsed continued regional and federal advocacy and local support for impacted families.
The council’s discussion concluded with an assurance that staff would prepare communications for residents and continue coordination with partner agencies and lawmakers.
