Groups demand stronger sanctuary policies amid Minneapolis Police Department contract talks.
Community organizers, led by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, are using the 2026 MPD contract negotiations to demand stronger sanctuary policies.
Their primary concern is the lack of consequences for officers who violate the city's Separation Ordinance by assisting ICE.
The city's Separation Ordinance says that City staff, including police and fire department staff, do not take part in the enforcement of federal civil immigration laws.
The Immigrant Rights Action Committee was joined in support by a small group of Minneapolis City Council members, including Ward 2 Councilmember Robin Wonsley.
"We absolutely want to see this language be brought to the table in negotiations with the police federation, and for the city to do all that it can to integrate this language into the police contract," Wonsley said.
Alongside council members Jason Chavez, and Elliot Payne, Wonsley will meet with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey next month to demand implementation of their requests.
"We need to use all of the authority at the local level to stand up against the federal administration that doesn't see the humanity in every one of our residents," Payne explains. "I'm very proud to be here side-by-side with our community and making sure that MPD has consequences when they violate our separation ordinance."
The council members are threatening to challenge the new contract vote if they are ignored.
The city website lays out a policy where they prohibit employees, including police and firefighters, from enforcing federal civil immigration laws, and cannot ask about immigration status or documentation.