Minnesota’s Legislature Braces for a Federal Immigration Fight as the Enforcement Surge Winds Down
Lawmakers face challenges addressing immigration enforcement, gun violence, and fraud amid a 67-67 House tie and a one-vote Senate majority in a tense election-year session.
- On Feb. 17, Minnesota lawmakers returned to St. Paul to start the 2026 session at noon with a tribute, amid a 67-67 House tie and a one-vote Senate majority, as Leader Murphy said, `'I don't think any of us will ever forget what happened on June 14. It has shifted us, and I think it will shift us for good. I'm thinking a lot about that day, what it means, and doing the work for the people of Minnesota.'`
- After a string of tragedies, lawmakers responded to the assassination of Melissa Hortman and her husband, and a deadly shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School, amid federal immigration actions, authorities say.
- Lawmakers will introduce anti-fraud and oversight bills including a statewide Office of Inspector General after the Senate's 60-7 approval last year, while Gov. Tim Walz proposed $10 million relief for small businesses and immigration bills are posted in the House Education Committee.
- When committees begin meeting Wednesday, immigration will take center stage, with the DFL caucus filing 11 bills to limit federal immigration agents, but bipartisan support is required for any passage.
- The session's May 18 deadline forces quick action as all 201 legislative seats are on the ballot and local governments seek bonding over $3 billion.
75 Articles
75 Articles
In Minnesota, Legislature braces for federal immigration fight as enforcement surge winds down
Just ahead of the session, House and Senate Democrats unveiled 11 bills to counter what they consider some of the worst excesses by federal immigration officers during the surge.
Minnesota’s Legislature braces for a federal immigration fight as the enforcement surge winds down
Democrats’ top priority as the 2026 session of the Minnesota Legislature gets underway is reining in the power of federal law enforcement to conduct immigration crackdowns.
DFLers are on the offensive as the Legislature returns
It was Zack Stephenson’s second day in the roomy office he now occupies as head of Minnesota’s House DFL caucus, a post he attained after the shocking murder of his political mentor, Melissa Hortman. “It’s still Melissa’s office,” Stephenson said last week. “It’s weird to sit in this chair.” But, Stephenson added, “She would want us to get off the mat and get to work.” A couple of minutes later, the Coon Rapids lawmaker rattled off ways Minneso…
After a series of tragic events, lawmakers return to the Capitol with grief and calls for action
Since last session, Minnesota has seen a political assassination, a deadly school shooting and an unprecedented and deadly immigration enforcement operation. Each of those tragedies have led to calls for change, and they bring a different focus to an election-year session.
After unprecedented string of tragedies, Minnesota legislature will return Tuesday for 2026 session
Immigration enforcement, gun violence and fraud will take center stage at the capitol, which is still reeling from the murder of Melissa and Mark Hortman last June.
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