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Residents give hours of testimony describing fear, disruptions and calls for stronger local protections amid federal immigration operations
Summary
Dozens of residents, childcare providers and advocates testified about alleged aggressive federal enforcement, trauma, closures of childcare and lost work; they urged the council to expedite separation ordinance changes, push the governor for an eviction moratorium, and demand accountability and clarity from the city and police.
An extended public hearing at the Saint Paul City Council drew dozens of speakers reporting harassment, alleged warrantless detentions, disruptions to childcare and schools, and community fear tied to recent federal immigration operations.
Speakers described a wide range of harms: a center director said her program went into lockdown multiple times after helicopters and convoys circled the building; “Our center went into lockdown for 3 hours and again for 4 hours 2 days later,” Angela Claire said. A resident recounted seeing unmarked SUVs and masked people outside her home; "I was intimidated and even as a U.S. citizen…I was the only person that could," Heather C. Lou said.
Childcare providers, attorneys and tenant advocates urged rapid city action. Homeline’s public policy director cited a sharp rise in renter calls and urged immediate steps: “Rent is going unpaid not by choice, but because ICE has made daily life impossible,” Michael Dahl said, noting a 65% increase in renter calls for assistance compared with the prior year.
Multiple speakers asked the council to clarify whether the Saint Paul Police Department will intervene when federal agents operate on or near city‑run facilities and to expedite the council’s separation ordinance efforts. Parents and childcare directors said mixed messages from city officials, the mayor’s office and the police had heightened confusion and fear.
Council President Naker closed the public hearing after hours of testimony and said council work will continue: "Your stories are powerful... They are influencing the work that we are doing." The council voted to close the hearing and signaled multiple ordinance and policy actions to come.
Next steps: The council scheduled additional ordinance introductions and public hearings in the weeks ahead and asked staff to coordinate legal review and communications clarifying protections for childcare, schools and city facilities.
