Residents urge Apple Valley to adopt resolution backing immigrant neighbors amid reported federal operations

At the Feb. 26 Apple Valley City Council meeting, residents urged the council to adopt a resolution affirming protections and support for immigrant neighbors and to create structured, community‑led dialogue about recent federal operations that speakers said are prompting fear and economic harm.

Maggie Brockman, who opened the audience participation period, said she was disappointed the city had not responded to a request she submitted two weeks earlier and criticized the council’s absence from the Cities for Safe and Stable Communities Coalition. “Requiring the community to come to you rather than you go to them is not engagement,” Brockman said, urging the council to co‑draft a resolution with affected residents.

Deborah Menke, who said she is a 25‑year resident of Burnsville, pointed to an ordinance in Burnsville that “keeps federal agents ICE out of city spaces” and asked why Apple Valley had not adopted similar language. “We have a mission to promote the health and safety and general well‑being of all of your citizens,” Menke said, arguing that a clear statement or policy would help restore trust.

Liliana described federal operations appearing on neighborhood streets and the resulting decline in foot traffic at immigrant‑owned businesses. “The lack of public discussion does not mean a lack of impact,” she said, asking the council what concrete steps it would take to be present in affected neighborhoods and to rebuild trust.

Nicole Fairley, a parent who said she has been supporting neighbors and local food drives, described playgrounds and sidewalks that children no longer use and said families fear for their safety. “This is going to affect our city for a very long time to come,” Fairley said, and asked the council to convene a community session to identify supports and responses.

Mayor Hoopah thanked residents for coming forward, said staff would pull additional information together and encouraged people to read Burnsville’s ordinance language as context. He committed to getting “some response back” to the speakers about next steps.

The council did not take formal action on the request during the meeting; Mayor Hoopah said staff would provide information and follow up with the community. The public comment period at the meeting lasted the allotted time for non‑agenda items.