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Duluth residents press city council to outlaw local collaboration with ICE; councilors vow to draft ordinance
Summary
Hundreds of Duluth residents urged the City Council to pass binding ordinances banning collaboration with ICE, to end surveillance contracts and to consider an eviction moratorium. Administrator Staling pledged city staff will not carry out immigration enforcement and several councilors said they will bring ordinance language in coming weeks.
Hundreds of residents packed the Duluth City Council chambers on Monday and used the public-comment period to press elected officials for immediate local safeguards against federal immigration enforcement actions.
Multiple speakers asked the council to pass a binding ordinance that would codify a policy of noncooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations. Julia Covert told the council, “If DPD truly does not assist in or intend to assist in immigration enforcement, you should have absolutely no problem passing a formal resolution that codifies that policy so we can hold the city accountable,” and several other speakers urged reversal of city contracts with surveillance vendors such as Flock Safety and LexisNexis.
The mass of testimony followed recent killings in the Twin Cities that residents said demonstrate the dangers of federal operations. Speakers across the political spectrum recounted protests, arrests and alleged abuses and presented a common list of demands: a city ordinance banning collaboration with federal immigration enforcement, a prohibition on federal agencies staging operations on city property without a judicial warrant, an eviction moratorium, rescission of surveillance contracts and formation of a city-led working group to draft policy and “know your rights” trainings.
Administrator Staling addressed the chamber and offered a public assurance. “Duluth employees will never ever, never ever do immigration enforcement,” Staling said, and proposed a series of collaborative meetings with the city’s citizens review board, the Human Rights Commission and interfaith and stakeholder groups to build trust and community policing relationships.
Councilors responded in turn. Councilor Johnson said she is drafting language for council action focused on the city’s relationship with federal agencies and said, “You will see that in the coming weeks.” Councilor Randolph said the council would act to protect residents’ safety and rights “in spades,” and other councilors urged transparency and careful legal review as they weigh what local ordinances are feasible and enforceable under state and federal law.
The meeting included procedural votes on separate items: minutes and the consent agenda were approved by voice vote, and a separate resolution (Resolution 61, authorizing acceptance of gifts up to $10,000) was tabled for further review after councilors sought stricter public-notification and transparency language.
Next steps: councilors said they would circulate draft ordinance language and meet with staff and legal counsel; speakers asked the council to accelerate public engagement and to consider emergency measures while legal and enforcement questions are worked out.
