Rochester Mayor Kim Norton Among Minnesota Mayors Heading to D.C. To Speak With Congressional Delegation About ICE Removal

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Rochester Mayor Kim Norton is one of multiple Minnesota mayors heading to Washington D.C. this week to request the removal of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from Minnesota. 

Read More: Rochester Mayor Calls for ICE Agents to Leave Minnesota 

Earlier this month, Mayor Norton called for the removal of ICE agents from the state.

The elected officials trip to the nation’s capital follows the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by a Customs and Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis on Saturday. 

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Pretti is the second U.S. citizen killed during an encounter with federal agents in Minnesota this month. 

Rochester Mayor Kim Norton Joins Other MN Mayors in Trip to Washington to Speak With State's Congressional Delegation

Norton wrote on social media that she and the other Minnesota mayors plan to speak with the state’s congressional delegation about, “our serious concerns about irresponsible federal actions that caused yet another tragic death of one of our own.” 

The Rochester Mayor says the request for removal has the backing of the United States Conference of Mayors, which issued a statement calling on national leaders to “de-escalate the situation in Minnesota” following the fatal shooting of Pretti.

“Things can not continue as they are. It is well past time for Congress to step in on this and other related issues, such as immigration reform. We expect our representatives to hear us and take action to support us. Only they have the power to do so,” Mayor Norton wrote. 

Norton said state and city leaders, “should be allowed to govern our wonderful communities within the law.” She says the federal government must pass laws for cities to follow if they want change and says that is what the mayors will be asking for. 

Mayor Norton did not say which city’s mayors will be going to Washington D.C. 

“As is our nature, peaceful and law-abiding Minnesotans will continue to resist unwarranted actions and will find ways to support each other and those in need…as we always have,” Mayor Norton wrote.