St. Paul, Ramsey County continue response to ICE actions

Operation Metro Surge may officially be over. But the continued presence of federal agents and the aftereffects of aggressive federal immigration enforcement continue. Food and personal care product drives and constitutional observer training programs go on at area places of worship, as do fund drives to help people sheltering in place with rent costs.

St. Paul and Ramsey County officials are also offering numerous ways to help people who have been affected, especially in terms of housing. Another key step City Council members will act on in April is meant to strengthen the city’s current immigration separation ordinance.

The original ordinance was adopted in 2004, to clarify roles between city staff and the federal government. But it came into question last fall after an incident in Payne-Phalen neighborhood. A group objecting to a detainment by federal Department of Homeland Security immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents contended that St. Paul Police acted to aid the federal agents and act against those protesting what they saw.

Proposed ordinance changes were developed with input from several city departments, as well as community members, to provide more consistent guidance for all city employees.

It outlines specifics for responding to and reporting on federal actions, and outlines how city employees would be trained for their roles during federal immigration enforcement actions. Regular updates would be provided to city leadership.

It would also ban the use of city-owned properties for federal immigration actions, limit access to non-public city spaces, ban masks, and require visible identification of insignia.

The ordinance states that St. Paul Police and Fire Departments would have to submit annual reports on calls for service related to civil immigration enforcement.

TENANT PROTECTIONS
Tenant protection is another focus. An action unanimously taken by the council March 25 temporarily extends the pre-eviction notice period from 30 to 60 days. That postpones landlords’ abilities to make court filings for nonpayment of rent.

The change goes into effect May 14 and ends Dec. 31.

Beginning May 14, landlords in St. Paul will have to give their tenants 60 days’ notice before filing eviction proceedings for non-payment of rent with the courts.

The council had approved a 30-day notice period, which was to be permanently implemented in May. But concerns about people sheltering in place and loss of income prompted housing advocates to call for a longer grace period.

It’s not clear how many St. Paul families have been affected by the loss of income but public and private emergency programs have reported increased demand for help with rent payments.

With seven votes, the measure cannot be vetoed by Mayor Kaohly Her. Her has been advocating for emergency rent relief, citing concerns that affordable housing providers have raised.

The city’s largest affordable housing provider, the Public Housing Agency, had sought an exemption from the 60-day period. PHA leadership has worried about federal push-back if the measure passed, affecting its 4,200 dwelling units.

But council members voted down Council President Rebecca Noecker exemption amendment, 2-5.
The council and mayor have acted this year to make about $3.8 million available in rental assistance. Applications are to open monthly, on a one-day basis, with the first round April 1. A lottery will be used to choose recipients.

RAMSEY COUNTY RELIEF
For its part, Ramsey County is offering temporary tax relief to help homeowners impacted by Operation Metro Surge. After county officials voted in February to decry federal tactics, County Administrator Ling Becker was directed to set up a response to Operation Metro Surge.

“While Operation Metro Surge may be winding down, its impacts have not,” Becker said. “Our most vulnerable residents continue to feel the greatest impact. With direction from the county board, we’ve taken a range of actions to support residents and businesses during this difficult time, and we remain committed to doing what we can to help our community recover.”

Responding to financial hardships, the county implemented a temporary two-month property tax payment extension for first half 2026 property tax payments. Eligible property owners can pay their property taxes up to two months past the typical deadline without facing late payment penalties.

County officials have also responded to growing children’s mental health needs with a one-time allocation of $75,000 to the county’s Children’s Mental Health Collaborative. This will help strengthen access to mental health and basic needs supports.