Rochester Mayor Calls For ICE Withdrawal From Minnesota

“These are uncharted waters in our country and I ask that you join me in calling on Congress to pull ICE from our state and allow our local law enforcement to protect us.”

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Rochester Mayor Kim Norton is the latest elected leader to call on Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave Minnesota.

The Mayor’s statement comes the morning after an ICE-involved shooting that occurred in north Minneapolis.

Federal officials say a man, who was attacking an agent with a shovel and broom handle, was shot in the leg that followed the pursuit of a target of an immigration enforcement operation.

Rochester Mayor Kim Norton Asks Others to Join in Call on Congress to Withdraw ICE from Minnesota

In a post published to her personal Public Figure/campaign Facebook page, the Mayor wrote in part, “I know people are upset by the influx of ICE in our state and city. The city council and I see you and hear you. I know folks want to be and feel safe in our community, but are feeling unsafe right now.”

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Last week, the Rochester Police Department confirmed the presence of ICE agents in Rochester. The statement from the police department came the day after ICE agent Johnathan Ross shot and killed Rene Good in south Minneapolis.

Numerous videos documenting ICE operations in Rochester have been circulating on social media in the days following the deadly shooting in Minneapolis.

Mayor Norton wrote, “These are uncharted waters in our country and I ask that you join me in calling on Congress to pull ICE from our state and allow our local law enforcement to protect us.”

The Mayor asked anyone joining her in calling for Congress to withdraw ICE to, “ask them to reign in the seemingly lawless behavior that is harming Minnesotans and to not send improperly training ICE and CBP agents on our streets - it is causing serious harm to individuals and it undermines the local professional law enforcement officers that we all count on for protection.”

Mayor Norton also said helpful information will be available on the city's website.

Earlier this week, the State of Minnesota with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul filed a lawsuit seeking to halt ICE activities in the state.

On Wednesday the judge presiding over the case decided against granting Minnesota's request for a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration.

The judge did say the case is on "the front burner," and directed the federal government to respond by Monday.