Democrats Renew Push To Make MN A 'Sanctuary' State For Migrants

ST. PAUL, MN — Minnesota Democrats will renew their push to make the state a "sanctuary" for people who are living in the U.S. illegally.

Last session, progressive Democratic Reps. Sandra Feist and Omar Fateh introduced a bill that would prohibit state and local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with federal immigration authorities and deportation efforts.

Last weekend, Fateh and Feist signed the "bill jackets" for the North STAR Act, an updated version of the bill for the 2024 legislative session, which will begin Feb. 12.

"This bill will ensure that state and local government resources are not wasted on enforcing our broken federal immigration laws," Feist said on Facebook.

"In doing so, we will protect our immigrant neighbors and keep our communities whole. I'm incredibly proud and energized to be the chief House author of this critically important legislation."

The bill has good odds of passing this session, with Democrats controlling both chambers of the Minnesota Legislature and the governor's mansion.

However, Democrats may face a tough political environment. The legislative push comes at a time when the governors of both "blue" and "red" states and cities across the U.S. are warning about an unsustainable flow of migrants.

New York Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, claims the migrant crisis could "destroy" the city.

Chicago officials say they are facing a similar crisis.

While the state of Minnesota is not a sanctuary state, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul declared themselves sanctuaries for migrants before Republican/ Donald Trump was sworn in as president.