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Residents urge West St. Paul officials to address ICE presence and public-safety concerns
Summary
Several residents and business owners told the City Council on Jan. 12 that encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are creating fear and harming businesses; speakers asked police to increase patrols, pursue citations if agents break local laws and for the council to consider local measures. Mayor Napier advised calling 911 when residents feel unsafe.
Several residents told the West St. Paul City Council on Jan. 12 that encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have left immigrant families feeling unsafe and have affected local businesses.
Tom Edwards of Charlton Street urged the council to pass a resolution stating that the West St. Paul Police Department will not collaborate with ICE or give the appearance of supporting ICE. Alex Escoto, who said his father owns El Taquito, said his mother was approached by ICE and described the interaction as a civil-rights violation; he asked the city to take stronger action because residents are frightened and feel the police have limited options. “They are violating civil rights of WSP residents,” Escoto said.
Other speakers described a pattern of encounters that, they said, threaten safety and commerce. An Eco Chico owner asked the council to waive license fees for a planned second-hand store expansion and to increase police checks on businesses, saying business owners feel vulnerable. Resident speakers called for increased enforcement when ICE agents unlawfully enter or act in ways the community believes violate local law; one speaker asked police to be incentivized to issue citations if agents break laws.
Zach Larmore compared current ICE activity to historic abuses and argued that being undocumented is a civil misdemeanor; he asked local law enforcement either to enforce applicable laws or to use available personnel policies (such as paid time off) rather than remain passive. Multiple speakers also described fear among young people and urged the police to patrol schools and protect children.
Mayor Dave Napier responded directly to a resident’s question about emergency response: “If you feel unsafe, yes, call 911.” Councilmembers thanked speakers for attending and said the council is taking steps to address the concerns, though the minutes do not record any formal policy change or vote tied to the public comments.
The council did not record a formal vote or adopt a resolution on immigration-enforcement cooperation during the Jan. 12 meeting. The minutes note general agreement among councilmembers with the concerns raised but do not specify any follow-up assignments or timelines.
