Vote to Reaffirm Rochester as Compassionate City Set for Monday, Leaders Also Consider Filing Brief in Lawsuit Against Feds

City Council to Vote on Reaffirming Rochester as Compassionate City Also Mulling Amicus Brief in Lawsuit Against Federal Gov't

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester City Council is set to take up a vote Monday on a resolution reaffirming Rochester as a compassionate city. 

See Also: Mayor Norton Among Multiple Minnesota Mayors Going to DC to Request ICE Removal 

Councilmember Dan Doering initiated the action. City Council President Randy Schubring has seconded the introduction of the council-initiated action. 

Earlier this month, the city council passed a resolution that reaffirmed the city’s support for its Somali community. 

Read More: Rochester City Council Passes Resolution Reaffirming Support for Somali Community 

Monday’s vote and last month’s resolution come amid an ongoing federal immigration, crackdown in Minnesota, named “Operation Metro Surge” that has brought immigration enforcement agents to Rochester.  

City Council to Vote on Reaffirming Rochester as Compassionate City

“The resolution reaffirms existing City and Rochester Police Department practices, policies, and commitments that have been in place for several years,” the agenda item for Monday night’s meeting says. 

Get our free mobile app

If approved, the resolution would not change the city’s relationship with federal immigration agencies. The agenda item says the resolution is meant to provide clarity to the community, city employees and partner organizations. 

An immigration resource page on the city’s website says Rochester, “does not enforce immigration law.” 

Rochester Leaders Consider Filing Brief Detailing Local Impacts of Operation Metro Surge

The agenda item also gives council members the option to consider filing an amicus brief in an ongoing lawsuit involving the State of Minnesota and cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul against the federal government. 

If the council goes that direction, the city’s attorney would be directed to file a brief in the ongoing case that documents local impacts of Operation Metro Surge on businesses, schools, housing and access to healthcare in Rochester. 

The agenda item states other local governments in Minnesota and around the country have already filed briefs in the case.