DFL’s ICE-related proposals in limbo as legislative hearings continue

ST. PAUL, Minn. (GRAY) – Last month, the DFL entered the 2026 legislative session with a list of several priorities, one of which was responding to the effects of Operation Metro Surge.

Their slate of bills contained several provisions: a bill that would have prohibited federal agents from wearing face coverings, an economic study on the impacts of Operation Metro Surge, financial assistance for those affected by the operation, and more.

Thursday, a bill that would establish a civil right of action to sue federal law enforcement for violations of constitutional rights was heard in the House State and Local Government Committee.

DFL bill authors had previously expressed optimism that the bill might get some Republican support due to its broader scope. Where other bills on the party’s ICE agenda are more targeted toward immigration enforcement, the civil right of action bill applies to any and all constitutional rights violations.

“It would protect all constitutional rights. It would even protect the Second Amendment, if those rights were violated by state or federal actors, and it would apply evenhandedly to state, local and federal actors,” bill author Rep. Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis) said.

Still, like other ICE-related legislation this year, the bill was met with pushback from the GOP. Republican members felt the committee’s time would be better spent on issues they feel are more pressing.

“We should be writing laws talking about this fraud that’s going on, holding people accountable, but yet the other side of the aisle comes in here, just focusing directly on ICE and what they’re going to do for immigration,” Rep. Jim Joy (R-Hawley) said.

That bill ultimately failed to advance in the House’s State and Local Government Committee, which may not bode well for the DFL’s other ICE-related bills.

Several ICE-related bills have passed in Senate Committees as the DFL maintains a majority in that chamber, but with a tie in the House, no bill can pass without bipartisan support.