Local attorneys speak on immigration enforcement in Minnesota

Immigration attorney Sarah K. Peterson stopped by KARE 11 on Sunday to discuss what led to an increased federal presence in Minnesota.

MINNESOTA, USA — Over the past few weeks, Minnesota has seen an increase in immigration enforcement on its streets, leading to clashes with protesters and receiving strong criticism from some leaders. 

But attorneys with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) say this situation has been in the making for over a year. 

Immigration attorney Sarah K. Peterson stopped by KARE 11 on Sunday to discuss what led to an increased federal presence in Minnesota and the current state of affairs. 

In an opinion letter published by the Star Tribune on January 9, AILA names these key events: 

Executive Order 14159 – signed Jan. 20, 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act Operation ‘Twin Shield’, ‘Metro Surge’ and ‘PARRIS’Renee Good’s Fatal Shooting 

Peterson, however, says it all began even further in the past, when Congress “failed to enact any sort of meaningful immigration reform.” 

She says that this has allowed the current administration to use previously unprecedented mechanisms to enforce immigration policies in Minnesota.