“Minnesota was on everyone’s mind”: Rochester mayor reflects on attending US Conference of Mayors

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Throughout last week, Rochester Mayor Kim Norton was in Washington D.C., attending the US Conference of Mayors. She was one of more than 250 mayors at the event, discussing bipartisan solutions to national challenges. This visit comes after Rochester and Minnesota experienced increased immigration enforcement.

“Minnesota was definitely the topic,” Norton said. “It was on everyone’s mind because they are watching us very closely, devastated to see two residents, citizens, die and be shot and killed by ICE. They don’t want that in their communities.”

According to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE has more than 1,360 active detainers for criminals in Minnesota jails. As part of Operation Metro Surge, it said some of the people arrested are convicted of crimes such as terrorism, child abuse and drug trafficking. The agency’s enforcement efforts in Minnesota have received widespread protests throughout the state.

To share the impacts of ICE’s enforcement in Rochester, Norton said she also conducted congressional visits during her time in Washington D.C. She said she met with Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, as well as the staff of Representatives Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach and Tom Emmer.

“I explained what we’re seeing, not in Minnesota, but in Rochester, because we’re seeing ICE action here quite heavily in the last few weeks,” Norton said. “We’re seeing black and brown people being profiled and being taken that are not criminals and that have done nothing illegal or wrong, many of whom are U.S. citizens.”

The mayor stressed that she wants Rochester and Minnesota to be treated like every other city and state in the country.

“I’ve seen several sources that [say] only 1% of Minnesota’s population is deemed, perhaps, to be here illegally,” she said. “There are states like Florida and Texas where it’s like 20% or 25%. Why are we focusing on Minnesota?”"

Additionally, Norton said it is an agreed-upon fact throughout the country that anyone who is present illegally and are committing crimes needs to be punished. She asked federal officials to be fair.

“Don’t focus on Minnesota,” Norton said. “Don’t focus on Rochester. Don’t hurt one of the strongest economies in the whole country.”

According to the city, the US Conference of Mayors is an annual budgeted and funded trip and is part of the mayor’s travel and training budget.

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