§ 44.01. Purpose and policy statement.

This chapter clarifies the communication and enforcement relationship between the city and the United States Department of Homeland Security ("homeland security") and other federal agencies with respect to the enforcement of civil immigration laws. The city works cooperatively with homeland security, as it does with all state and federal agencies, but the city does not operate its programs for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws. Homeland security has the legal authority to enforce immigration laws in the United States, in Minnesota and in the city. It is the policy of the city to respect the role of homeland security by avoiding pro-active enforcement of civil immigration laws. This chapter is not intended to limit the proper enforcement of generally applicable laws. It is the policy of the city that all residents are equally entitled to protection and that all residents should be able to access city services to which they are entitled, without regard to their immigration status under federal law.

(C.F. No. 04-316, § 1, 5-5-04)