House rejects urgency motion on immigration-cooperation bill after partisan clash

A motion to suspend rules to recall House File 16 for immediate consideration failed on a 6767 tie on the Minnesota House floor.

Representative Reimer presented HF16 as a measure to mandate reporting of arrests of people unlawfully present who are suspected of defined violent crimes and to prevent state and local entities from interfering with federal immigration enforcement. Supporters described it as restoring cooperation among law-enforcement agencies and argued it would facilitate arrests in controlled environments.

Opponents said the bill would undermine public safety by deterring immigrant communities from reporting crimes and by effectively deputizing local authorities into federal immigration enforcement. Representative Feist and others cited recent incidents during Operation Metro Surge and wrote that local prosecutors and the County Attorneys Association had warned cooperation could damage trust and safety.

Floor debate included accounts of community harm from ICE operations, concerns about due process, and references to a county attorneys association statement opposing the bill. Representative Reimer and supporters cited examples they said would have been prevented if cooperation had been mandatory.

After roll call, the clerk announced 67 ayes and 67 nays and stated the motion does not prevail; the bill was not advanced under suspension.

Next steps: Without a successful motion to suspend the rules, HF16 remains subject to ordinary committee and calendar processes.