Religious leaders urge Rep. Finstad to vote against DHS funding

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Religious leaders from southeastern Minnesota called on Rep. Brad Finstad (R-MN01), to vote against continued Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding and remove ICE from Minnesota during a closed-door meeting and press conference on Tuesday.

Between 15 and 20 faith leaders from across southeastern Minnesota met privately with Finstad’s staff before speaking publicly to democratic constituents protesting outside the representative’s Rochester office.

“We would like Representative Finstad to know that we view a vote to extend DHS funding as a continued attack on our community,” said Rev. Andrew Greenhaw of Congregational Church UCC Rochester.

The press conference came as Democratic and Republican lawmakers in Washington continue to remain deadlocked over DHS funding, with a Friday deadline looming.

“Mr. Finstad, our economy is not made better by scaring thousands of people away from work and school,” Rev. Justin Chapman of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church said.

The clergy members demanded the end of federal immigration operations in Minnesota, despite the recent drawdown of hundreds of ICE agents.

“We’re told that after the drawdown of hundreds of ICE agents, things would change, fear would lessen, communities would feel safer, but that is the farthest from the truth,” said Rev. Quinlan Koch of First Lutheran Church in Red Wing.

Democrats outline demands

Democrats in Washington have outlined demands that include federal cooperation in state and local-led investigations of federal officers’ use of force.

Other demands include restricting ICE agents from wearing masks, requiring the use of body cameras, identifiable uniforms, and banning immigration agents from entering private properties without judicial warrants.

“Some of which the administration is willing to discuss. Others don’t seem like they are grounded in any common sense,” said White House Secretary Karoline Leavitt during Thursday’s press conference.

Leavitt also said that defunding DHS would impact pay for other federal agencies.

“To ensure the brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard are getting paid, the brave men and women of the United States Secret Service,” Leavitt said.

Meanwhile, the religious leaders questioned current enforcement practices and whether DHS is only targeting criminal illegal immigrants.

“We don’t believe that these are targeted enforcement actions, that we don’t believe that the ICE and DHS agents in our communities are following the law,” Greenhaw said.

Finstad’s office did not respond to requests for comment on the meeting or the DHS funding bill.

If DHS funding does not pass by Friday, immigration operations would continue since ICE and CBP received funding under what’s known as the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill.’

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