Twin Cities immigrant rights advocates are calling on Minnesotans to take photos and videos of federal agents making immigration arrests in an effort to bring more transparency to law enforcement actions.
Several advocates said at a Monday news conference that videos and photos could be used as evidence in the event that federal agents violate state or local laws. Advocates said they’ve seen agents hiding their identities by wearing masks and refusing to show badges or warrants.
“That is not just our right, it’s our duty,” said Johnathan McClellan, president of the Minnesota Justice Coalition. “To every Minnesota listening, your voice and your vigilance are vital.”
He emphasized that the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution allows the public to record police officers and federal agents while they are performing their duties in public “as long as you do not interfere.”
Across Minnesota, 2,500 volunteers have been trained to watch federal agents make arrests and document any civil rights violations, said Sarah Atilano, an organizer for Communities Organizing Latine Power and Action (COPAL). Many volunteers report that federal agents are not presenting identification when they make arrests, she said.
Atilano advises witnesses to take video and photos of arrests from eight feet away, and to share the footage and images with a local immigration nonprofit, like COPAL or Unidos MN.
The Minnesota Justice Coalition, Advocates for Human Rights and the Minnesota Interfaith Coalition on Immigration and other groups partnered for Monday’s news conference. They also highlighted counties that have recently signed a 287(g) agreement to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Cass, Crow Wing, Freeborn, Itasca, Jackson, Sherburne, Mille Lacs and Kandiyohi counties have signed 287(g) agreements, according to ICE’s website. Sheriffs in the counties did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday.
There are three different types of 287(g) contract agreements:
- Jail enforcement model: allows officers to ask people who are arrested with criminal or pending criminal charges about their immigration status and hold them for detention. Sherburne county has signed this type of agreement.
- Task force model: allows officers to enforce limited ICE authority during routine police duties, such as patrolling areas. Cass, Crow Wing, Itasca and Mille Lacs counties have agreed to this model.
- Warrant service officer: allows ICE to train, certify and allow officers to arrest immigrants without legal status in the jails. Crow Wing, Freeborn, Kandiyohi and Jackson counties have this type of agreement.
Simon Trautmann Cordova, a business attorney and immigrant advocate, said Minnesota residents who don’t support officers in their county working with ICE should call and email their local public officials.
