A report by the Minneapolis City Auditor found that the city did not violate its separation ordinance during a federal operation on June 3 near Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue. The ordinance prohibits city employees, including police, from enforcing federal immigration laws.
The audit found the city’s role that day was to provide safety for residents and share information as it became available. Minneapolis police were not directly involved in the federal drug and human trafficking investigation, did not enforce immigration laws, and did not arrest or question anyone based on immigration status, according to the report.
However, the report pointed out communication failures with City Council members.
“City communication records show that the full City Council was notified through official channels at 1:50 p.m., nearly four hours after the Chief of Police was notified and three hours after the Mayor was notified,” the report states. “Council Members were left with a void of information and an urgency to respond to constituent concerns.”
The federal operation, carried out by agencies including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, targeted Taqueria y Birreria Las Cuatro Milpas restaurant as part of a drug and human trafficking investigation. The heavy law enforcement presence sparked protests and concerns among residents who feared an immigration raid.
Minneapolis City Auditor Robert Timmerman said the separation ordinance, first adopted in 2003 prior to the creation of ICE, is outdated and needs updates to reflect current realities. He recommended clearer expectations for how the city and police should respond when federal enforcement actions take place.
The Minneapolis Police Department’s policy states that it does not operate its programs for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws.
Police Chief Brian O’Hara said MPD followed policy. “The MPD has an obligation to protect our residents and does not have authority over federal law enforcement,” O’Hara said. “That’s what we did on June 3, and that’s what the MPD will continue to do every day.”
During a public hearing Tuesday, Minneapolis residents and immigration advocates voiced their concerns and urged the city to strengthen the ordinance and limit local police involvement during future federal operations. City Council members signaled interest in updating the ordinance and improving communication with the mayor’s office.
City council member Jason Chavez said communication was lacking during the June 3 incident, which he believes added to uncertainty and fear in an immigrant community already concerned about deportations.
“The goal was never to find out whether the city violated its separation ordinance, which, to be clear, allows for collaboration with Immigration Customs Enforcement,” Chavez said. “But rather how the city responded, why MPD was next to ICE agents, and why our city broke the trust with our immigrant community, and why the city council was left in the dark during this operation.”
Mayor Jacob Frey and Chief O’Hara said they have been meeting with immigration leaders and community groups since June 3 to discuss ways to build trust and strengthen public safety moving forward.
“Facts matter. In moments of crisis, our residents deserve clear, accurate information,” Frey said in a statement. “This audit confirms that the City did not violate its separation ordinance and acted with integrity, keeping public safety front and center.”
Some Council Members are calling for stronger separation ordinance reforms and stressed that, despite following rules on paper, the city’s handling of the federal operation hurt residents and highlighted the urgency for better protections and accountability.
