Minneapolis — Vice President JD Vance, during a visit to Minnesota on Thursday, indicated the Minnesota Department of Corrections, under the oversight of Gov. Tim Walz, is cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
When asked directly about state cooperation, Vance stated, “Look, if I was going to list the five agencies locally and statewide I’m most worried about, I wouldn’t put the Department of Corrections on that list. I think that while there are certain things we’d like to see more from them, they’ve hardly been the worst offenders.”
Vance’s comments followed a call for state leaders to help deescalate the situation in Minneapolis, stating, “What I do think that we can do is working with state and local officials, we can make the worst moments of chaos, much less common, and all they’ve got to do is meet us halfway.”
A Homeland Security official reinforced this appeal, requesting local authorities comply with ICE detainers for individuals deemed “dangerous criminals.” Marcus Charles, head of ICE’s deportation branch, specifically asked authorities to “Please honor our immigration detainers that we’ve lodged against criminal illegal aliens in Minnesota in the state’s jails in prison.”
However, Paul Schnell, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections, countered this claim in a Wednesday interview, stating that his department is cooperating. “As they approach their release date, several weeks before, our staff coordinates directly with the local ICE office,” Schnell said. “Staff do this on a routine basis. They make arrangements for the transfer of custody of that individual.”
Charles later acknowledged the state Department of Corrections’ cooperation in notifying ICE about releases, but maintained that county officials are not consistently honoring ICE detainers. “We pick individuals up from the state, it’s the counties that do not honor our detainers,” he said.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Vice President Vance say about the Minnesota Department of Corrections?
Vice President Vance stated that the Minnesota Department of Corrections was not among the five agencies he was “most worried about” regarding cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
What is ICE requesting of Minnesota authorities?
ICE is requesting that local authorities honor immigration detainers lodged against individuals they deem “criminal illegal aliens” in Minnesota’s jails and prisons.
What is the Minnesota Department of Corrections’ position on cooperating with ICE?
Commissioner Paul Schnell stated that the department coordinates with ICE several weeks before an individual’s release to arrange for a transfer of custody, indicating cooperation.
How might the differing levels of cooperation between state and county authorities impact federal immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota?
