Attorney General Pam Bondi has reached out to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, asking him to allow federal access to the state’s voter rolls and public assistance data. This request comes amid growing tensions in Minneapolis following the recent shootings of individuals by federal immigration agents.
In her letter, Bondi urged Minnesota to eliminate its “sanctuary” policies and fully cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She believes that such measures could restore order and improve community safety. However, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon firmly rejected Bondi’s request, calling it an outrageous attempt to undermine citizen privacy and state law. He accused the federal government of trying to pressure Minnesota into sharing sensitive data.
The Trump administration has been advocating for enhanced access to Minnesota’s jails and prisons for weeks. They believe that increased access would facilitate the enforcement of immigration laws. However, state corrections officials state that cooperation with ICE varies by county.
Bondi’s letter also highlighted the need for federal access to records related to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), arguing that it would help investigate fraud. This focus on alleged public assistance fraud mirrors a wider national trend highlighting the government’s scrutiny of welfare programs.
Simon responded by pointing out that the state’s election process and voter registration system are managed independently of the governor’s office. He emphasized that Bondi’s request is already part of ongoing legal disputes.
The governor’s office called for a dialogue to end what they termed the “federal occupation” of Minnesota. Recently, there have been multiple incidents involving federal agents, raising significant concern within the community. The governor’s team denounced the shootings, stating that true immigration enforcement should not resemble acts of aggression.
According to a recent poll by the Pew Research Center, nearly 60% of Americans favor comprehensive immigration reform rather than stricter enforcement alone. This suggests that many feel there is a need for a more balanced approach to immigration issues.
The conversation about immigration remains heated, with public sentiment shifting as communities evaluate the impact of federal actions on local safety and civil rights.
For more details on this topic, you can read further on the Pew Research Center’s findings.
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Minnesota, Tim Walz, United States Department of Justice, Pam Bondi, Minneapolis
