At a time when many cities and counties across the U.S. are drawing a clear line of separation between local law enforcement and immigrant enforcement officials (I.C.E.), Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek is taking a different direction. He has ordered staff of the Hennepin County jail to inform I.C.E. of undocumented immigrants in its custody and provide notification of their date and time of release. As a result, many undocumented immigrants have been taken directly into custody by border enforcement officials and, in some cases, deported.
In response, Hennepin County Commissioner Marion Greene introduced legislation to establish a legal defense fund for undocumented residents with a priority on those in jail. The idea has caught on. St. Paul City Council members and Ramsey County commissioners are considering similar measures. Commissioner Greene joins TruthToTell to discuss the challenges facing undocumented immigrants, Hennepin County’s response, and other issues she is working on as a member of the one of the most powerful and least understood branches of local government.
Marion Greene is a member of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners.