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Council rejects emergency suspension of rules to introduce separation ordinance amid immigration enforcement concerns
Summary
A motion to suspend Council rules and introduce a separation ordinance (chapter 44 amendment) immediately failed on a 3–3 roll-call vote after debate over urgency and whether the city attorney had approved the draft; members cited public safety concerns and procedural requirements.
The St. Paul City Council voted down a motion Wednesday to suspend its rules and immediately introduce first reading of a proposed separation ordinance amid ongoing concerns about immigration enforcement actions.
Councilmember Buie moved to suspend the rules to add a first reading of a separation ordinance (a proposed amendment to Chapter 44) to the agenda. Supporters argued the item needed fast Council action because childcare providers and other community members reported immigration-related incidents in and around childcare centers, and some members said immediate action would give residents clearer information during what they described as an urgent period. Opponents said the council must follow its charter and rules: copies of the ordinance must be available to members and the public (including via Legistar) and the city attorney must sign off on the form of the ordinance before it can be introduced.
"We need our leaders to be stepping up bold and to really even be creating, giving clarity to community members about what our police officers are actually able to do to protect them," one councilmember said in support. Several members countered that rushing procedural steps without city-attorney review could expose the city to legal risk and that members needed time to study and prepare amendments during a formal first reading.
On a roll-call vote the motion failed, 3 in favor and 3 opposed; four votes were required to suspend the rules. Councilmembers said they would continue urgent work on the ordinance, coordinate closely with the city attorney, and aim for a draft that can be considered at the next meeting.
