Minneapolis leaders hold firm on immigration policy despite threats from Trump admin

The Justice Department issued a memo on Tuesday, instructing federal prosecutors to investigate – and possibly charge – state and local officials who refuse to cooperate with the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration

Justice Department, Minneapolis leaders at odds over immigration crackdown

The backstory:

The Justice Department said it will target state and local officials who do not comply with the Trump administration’s push to carry out large-scale deportations of undocumented immigrants.

The decision to investigate and possibly charge officials who do not cooperate escalates the tension between so-called sanctuary cities like Minneapolis and the federal government.

In a memo written Tuesday, acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove wrote: "Federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands…." The memo instructs federal prosecutors to "investigate incidents involving any such misconduct for potential prosecution…."

What they're saying:

In an interview on Thursday, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said immigration status "is a matter for the federal government to deal with; that’s not our job."

O’Hara said it would be difficult for his department to tackle crime if residents were afraid to call police.

"We understand that they [undocumented immigrants] are fearful," he said, "but we want to reassure people that this is not our role."

In a statement on Wednesday, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey echoed the chief’s sentiments. 

"Unlike Trump, I have no plans of tearing innocent families apart or disrupting communities that have called Minneapolis home for generations," he said, in part. "Minneapolis is, and always will be, a welcoming city."

Legal expert says it would be difficult to prosecute city leaders over immigration stance 

What they're saying:

Unless police and city leaders try to block the Trump administration from enforcing federal immigration laws, it would likely be difficult for prosecutors to charge them, an immigration attorney said.

"If you look at the statute, it’s hard to make this argument," said Ana Pottratz Acosta, a professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. "They’re not necessarily engaged in affirmative or like active activity to impede any investigation…."

What's next:

It is unclear when federal prosecutors could launch probes into state and local authorities.

ImmigrationMinnesota