On Thursday, Feb. 8, Senator Omar Fateh (DFL-Minneapolis) and Representative Sandra Feist (DFL-New Brighton) held a press conference introducing the North STAR Act, which would make Minnesota a sanctuary state. This legislation, SF 2724, seeks to prohibit state and local officials from cooperating with federal immigration authorities who are seeking to deport those in Minnesota illegally.

Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Alexandria) released the following statement and video on why Minnesota must not become the next sanctuary state:

“The crisis at the southern border is not an abstract idea that is happening elsewhere. Just last month, a terrorist was arrested in Minnesota who roamed free for a year after crossing the border illegally. 

“This is an issue that has now hit Minnesota pretty directly, and the Democrats in charge with their current trifecta don’t want to do anything about it. In fact, some Senate Democrats are now pushing to make Minnesota a ‘sanctuary’ state for illegal immigrants.

“If this legislation were to become law, Minnesota would join 11 other states claiming sanctuary status–costing taxpayers lots of money.  We should not make our state another hideaway to try and escape the consequences of those intentionally violating federal immigration law. This would only escalate America’s border crisis and put your family’s and our communities’ safety at severe risk.

“If this doesn’t shock your conscience, I’m not sure what will! One thing is clear, Minnesota must not become the next sanctuary state.”