Committee backs campus warrant protections after witnesses describe ICE activity’s effect on students and enrollment

The Senate Higher Education Committee heard an informational briefing and then advanced Senate File 35 70, a bill aimed at limiting federal immigration-enforcement activity on Minnesota college and university campuses unless officers present a judicial warrant, order or subpoena.

The informational portion featured lengthy testimony about "Operation Metro Surge" and its impact on campus life. Paul Pribbenow, president of Augsburg University, described multiple students stopped and interrogated — including three Augsburg students detained and sent to Texas — bomb threats after national attention, increased leaves of absence, spikes in advising and emergency housing requests, and students afraid to travel to class. Mark Grant (Minnesota State College Faculty), Suleiman Aden (CAIR-MN), and several students and student leaders recounted parallel reports of detentions, declines in enrollment, and the mental-health impact on students.

Sponsor Senator Clark presented SF35 70 and an A3 amendment clarifying application and definitions; the A3 was adopted. The bill would require judicial warrants or subpoenas for federal immigration officers to access campus and would direct institutions to provide students with information about constitutional rights. Supporters including John Bealer of the ACLU of Minnesota and Jenna Chernaga (IFO) urged the committee to reinstate protections similar to earlier federal sensitive-location guidance that restricted enforcement at or near schools.

Members raised concerns about staff obligations and possible risks to campus employees; the sponsor noted language limiting liability for postsecondary officials who act in good faith is included in the amendment and said the bill will proceed to the judiciary committee for further drafting and review. After debate, Senator Clark moved SF35 70 as amended; the committee recommended it to pass and re-referred it to the committee on judiciary and public safety.

The committee action follows widespread testimony that enforcement activity has chilled campus life, reduced service usage and enrollment at some institutions, and increased workload for faculty and student-support staff. SF35 70 aims to restore guardrails by codifying warrant requirements and campus guidance.