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Residents tell Rice County commissioners ICE operations are harming community life; some urge limiting county cooperation
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Summary
At an open forum, Rice County residents described fear, business disruption, student absences and strained social services they attribute to 'Operation Metro Surge' (ICE); others urged continued cooperation with federal authorities. Commissioners took no formal action.
Dozens of residents spoke at a Rice County Board of Commissioners open forum about the local effects of recent federal immigration enforcement operations, known in testimony as "Operation Metro Surge" or ICE activity, with speakers offering sharply divergent views and asking the board to clarify county policy.
Several speakers said ICE enforcement is inflicting real harm on everyday life. "We're here to ask the Rice County commissioners to join with other elected Southern Minnesota officials in naming harms to our communities by Operation Metro Surge, otherwise known as ICE," resident Leota Goodney told commissioners, urging the board to adopt model language to protect "sensitive locations like schools and churches." Sam Temple asked the board "to clarify the county's policy on ICE to only honor judicial warrants," arguing that administrative detainers can deprive people of their day in court and expose the county to legal liability.
Business owners described economic impacts. "Restaurants serve as third spaces, places where people gather, connect, and feel part of a community," said restaurant owner Sarah Spalding, who said staff and customers are more fearful and that restaurants have shortened hours, limited menus or closed. Barb Howie said Northfield's Community Action Center food-access staff are "overwhelmed and in total crisis mode," reporting that families are sheltering in place and that delivery workarounds are not sustainable.
Speakers also raised effects on schools. Matt Rohn said two superintendents reported that absences among affected students were "approximately 50 to 60%" when detentions were rumored, and warned of long-term trauma that diverts schools from instruction.
Other commenters defended law-enforcement cooperation with federal authorities. Chris Nieves urged the commissioners to "reject any public condemnation of federal immigration enforcement" and to continue cooperating with federal detention requests for people who have entered the county judicial system. Kathy Hoban and Ron Keller voiced support for ICE and local law enforcement, saying officers deserve cooperation and respect. In strong language, Rod Christiansen, a retired family physician, said, "ICE is violent. They're reckless. They intimidate our communities," arguing those operations undermine trust between residents and local police.
Speakers made competing factual claims and policy prescriptions; the hearing record shows disagreement rather than settlement. Several speakers urged a county policy limited to judicial warrants, while others pressed for continued or increased cooperation with federal authorities. The board did not act during the open forum. Commissioner comment after public comment indicated at least one commissioner wants the topic discussed further: "I do hope we take this subject up at some point, in the near future and have a discussion as commissioners," one commissioner said.
The open forum concluded and the board took a short break before continuing with the regular meeting; no formal motions or votes on immigration policy were made during the public-comment period.
