Minneapolis leaders and community members called for Gov. Tim Walz to issue an order that would prohibit evictions of residents amid a surge in federal law enforcement activity in Minnesota.
Several Minneapolis City Council members said many residents are scared to leave their homes and go to work over fears they might encounter U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Thousands of federal agents have been deployed to the Twin Cities recently, and some businesses have closed due to the increased activity, citing staff and community safety.
The City Council unanimously passed a resolution Thursday asking for Walz to issue an eviction moratorium, a rental protection that would prevent tenants who are unable to pay rent from being evicted. Only the governor is able to issue an eviction moratorium.
Walz issued an eviction moratorium during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people lost their employment or were unable to work. Along with the moratorium, financial assistance programs were established to help landlords cover rent and expenses.
Walz’s office did not respond to a request for comment before publication.
Ahead of a City Council meeting Thursday afternoon, some council members and community members gathered at Minneapolis City Hall to call for the moratorium. Community members chanted, “Evict ICE, not us.”
“Normal tasks such as taking the bus to work, picking up kids from school, attending doctor appointments, and visits to places of worship, are now dangerous,” City Council Member Robin Wonsley said at the news conference. “No family should have to choose between keeping a roof over their heads and risking being kidnapped by ICE.”
Council Member Jason Chavez said it’s unknown how long ICE’s presence will continue in Minnesota, and a moratorium will allow residents to shelter in place until it concludes. Chavez said many undocumented immigrants are risking going to work so that they can provide for their families.
“They’re scared of being evicted from their rental units,” he said at the news conference. “They’re scared to not be able to feed their families. They’re scared of their children being hungry. They’re scared of not having their basic needs met.”
The request came one day after a federal immigration officer shot and wounded a man on Wednesday night and about a week after an ICE agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, which has sparked protests and calls for action across the country.
Jess Zarik is the co-executive director of HOME Line, a nonprofit that provides a legal hotline for those struggling with housing. Zarik said at the news conference that her organization has seen a significant increase in calls from across the state in the past 45 days, and that many have called over concerns about ICE officers.
“The fear is widespread and it’s growing,” Zarik said. “Rent is going unpaid, not by choice, but because fear has made daily life impossible.”
About 50 people signed up to speak during the City Council meeting Thursday when council members considered the resolution. The vast majority of them implored the council to ask Walz for the moratorium, even though it’s a symbolic action and the city can’t establish a moratorium on its own.
“We need to do everything we can to protect our neighbors,” said Natalie Cherne, a Minneapolis resident and vice-chair of the Minneapolis DFL.
As the end of the month and the deadline for many to pay rent approaches, community members voiced concerns that more residents will become homeless.
“We cannot survive adding a housing crisis onto everything we are already carrying. We are carrying too much,” said Fadumo Mohamed, a Minneapolis resident and a community organizer with the New Justice Project, who spoke at the meeting.
