The Fridley City Council has issued a statement criticizing recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the city, saying federal actions moved forward without local input or authority during what officials described as a surge in enforcement under Operation Metro Surge.
In the statement, the council said the level of immigration enforcement created challenges beyond the city’s control and pledged to advocate to state and federal leaders to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
“When we say we will communicate your concerns to the appropriate authorities, it is because those decisions rest with state and federal leaders,” the council wrote, adding that while it cannot directly change federal policies, it can elevate residents’ concerns to officials with decision-making power.
The council described ICE’s actions as aggressive and said they conflict with Fridley’s approach to public safety. At the same time, officials said the city’s police department has operated professionally and treated all community members equally.
City leaders also said they plan to facilitate community conversations to better understand residents’ needs, with additional details expected soon.
“We can’t change what happened,” the statement read. “We can’t fix federal policy. But we can re-commit to doing everything in our power to make Fridley a place where everyone can live without fear, where trust is restored, and where we face whatever comes next, together.”