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Rebecca Shack sworn in as Minnetonka mayor; council and residents press for protections after federal immigration enforcement actions
Summary
Rebecca Shack was sworn in Jan. 12 as mayor of Minnetonka. In her first council meeting she urged due process and civil liberties in response to recent federal immigration enforcement; the council and dozens of residents described disruptive enforcement activity and called for clearer local protections and communications.
Rebecca Shack was sworn in as Minnetonka mayor on Jan. 12 and used her first regular council meeting to address a surge in federal immigration enforcement that has unsettled the region.
"Federal authorities operating within Minnetonka or Hennepin County must do so in a way that respects individual rights, the rule of law, and community safety," Shack said, urging federal representatives to ensure proper warrants and due process. The mayor, who was sworn in by City Attorney Eric Nelson, also asked the community to "urge calm, compassion, and respect for one another."
Council members echoed the mayor’s call. Council Member Debb Calbert said local police do not enforce federal immigration policy and urged residents to call 911 when they need help. "If you need help from our public safety personnel, you should feel comfortable calling 911," she said.
The meeting’s public‑comment period brought a string of firsthand accounts from residents and legal observers who said federal agents operating in the Twin Cities region had created fear and disruption. Speakers reported heavily armed teams entering businesses and libraries, alleged physical confrontations, and incidents that they said traumatized children. "What would the Minnetonka police do other than just stand there?" asked Carla Hennis, who identified herself as a legal observer.
Other residents urged the council to clarify the police department’s relationship with federal agencies and to provide clear guidance for families, schools and businesses. Some called on the city to join Minneapolis and St. Paul in legal challenges; others pressed for local surveys of economic and safety impacts.
Mayor Shack and several council members said they would pursue options that fall within the city's authority — including clearer public communications, education about rights, and possible formal statements or ordinances — while noting that immigration enforcement is a federal function. The mayor added that any local step must be consistent with the Constitution and state law.
The meeting underscored a broader unease across Hennepin County and the region, and positioned Minnetonka’s new council to weigh how to respond to federal enforcement in ways that protect civil liberties while maintaining public safety.
