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Edina council affirms community values on immigration enforcement and urges governor to fund emergency rental assistance
Summary
After extensive public comment, Edina adopted a resolution affirming community values amid immigration enforcement and approved a letter urging the governor to swiftly provide emergency rental assistance; speakers urged additional steps including an eviction moratorium and bans on ICE staging on city property.
Edina — The City Council on Feb. 4 adopted a resolution affirming community values and adopted a separate transmission asking the governor to approve emergency rental assistance, following extensive public testimony from residents worried about intensified immigration enforcement and its local effects.
The two separate actions included: (1) Resolution 2026‑08 affirming the city’s values toward residents affected by immigration enforcement operations and (2) a council letter urging the governor to make emergency rental assistance available to households impacted by Operation Metro Surge.
Public comment at the meeting was dominated by residents reporting fear and intimidation tied to federal immigration activity. Janet Kitoule, who identified herself as a long‑time resident, said "we demand clarity and courage and collective action," and urged the council to pass a "separation ordinance" that would prohibit collaboration with ICE and prevent staging on city property. Several speakers also urged the council to press for an eviction moratorium tied to rental assistance for affected families. (Janet Kitoule; Brook Bartholomew)
Manager Neil told the council the city has joined suburban partners in signing an amicus brief in litigation brought by the Minnesota attorney general addressing aggressive ICE operations, and the judge recently denied a temporary injunction at the preliminary hearing on Jan. 31; the litigation continues. The city manager also said staff would post additional information and follow up with a report. (City Manager)
Council members debated whether to explicitly call for an eviction moratorium. Several residents called for it during public comment, citing households that are too afraid to go to work and therefore face immediate housing instability. Council deliberations refined the language to emphasize rapid emergency rental assistance and stabilization measures while acknowledging differing views on moratoriums and the operational complexity and legal consequences of a statewide moratorium.
What happens next: Staff will transmit the letter to the governor and post the city’s resolutions and supporting resources on the city website; staff also committed to continuing public information updates and to follow up with a report at the next council meeting.
