To the Editor:

Even now, we have neighbors fearing going to work, dropping their children off at school, accessing medical care, or calling 911 because our local government lacks clear boundaries with federal immigration enforcement and unjustified deportations are still happening.

St. Louis Park’s City Council, in its April 6 study session, stated our police department does not enforce federal immigration law and does not ask residents about immigration status. As such, they argue there is no need for a formal city separation ordinance. While that informal policy is a positive step, that policy is limited and policies can change. They can be weakened by future administrations, political pressure or administrative confusion. Ordinances create accountability and standardized legal enforceability.

A formal separation ordinance would provide protection for city staff by declaring clear and comprehensive rules: City resources would not be used for federal immigration staging; employees would know how to respond if federal agents arrive at public facilities; and law enforcement would not support immigration

enforcement at our judicial centers, schools, hospitals and churches.

For those who would dismiss this as only affecting certain populations, this is also a public safety issue.

Prosecutors and police rely on victims and witnesses to feel safe reporting crimes. When people fear interaction with public institutions, domestic violence, wage theft, trafficking and other crimes can go unreported and spiral in a community. That harms everyone.

Minneapolis and Saint Paul have already strengthened their ordinances. St. Louis Park should act before our community, and the rule of law, gets tested again.

Whatever your politics, local government should protect taxpayer resources, constitutional boundaries, public safety, and community trust. Whether someone supports stricter immigration enforcement or not, most residents can agree that city resources should remain focused on city responsibilities — not doing things like spending our limited budget and time supporting the changing dictates of federal fancy.

I urge residents to contact local officials, such as our city council and county attorney, and support the drafting and institution of a formal separation ordinance.

Drake Burke
St. Louis Park

Published in the St. Louis Park + Hopkins Sun Sailor on May 7, 2026