BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS), which is Minnesota’s largest public safety labor union, is calling on federal, state and local officials to convene an emergency summit, with the hopes of establishing clear policies for immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

The labor union represents many different departments and offices across the state of Minnesota.

LELS says the summit should include leadership from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Minnesota’s Departments of Corrections and Public Safety, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association, state and local officials and public safety labor organizations.

“The lack of clarity, cooperation, communication, and coordination between federal, state, and local government is unsustainable,” LELS Executive Director Jim Mortenson said. “Conflicting directives are creating confusion for local law enforcement officers, eroding public trust, and straining public safety. While immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, its impact is felt daily by state and local agencies and the citizens of Minnesota. When leadership fails to align, frontline officers are left to manage the consequences. They deserve clarity, consistency, and leadership.”

LELS also noted that, prior to recent events, Minnesota’s state and local law enforcement agencies maintained a professional working relationship with ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol. It stressed the importance of restoring a functional relationship that “respects each other’s distinct roles and responsibilities, while promoting cooperation, mutual respect, trust, and effective communication that supports public safety.”

Immediate action is demanded by LELS in order to establish a unified framework that does the following:

• Clearly defines federal, state, and local public safety roles
• Provides consistent, lawful guidance to public safety professionals
• Protects constitutional rights while prioritizing community safety
• Eliminates confusion that undermines effective policing and public confidence

LELS said it believes a federal-state summit is “long overdue.” It added that Minnesota’s public safety professionals and communities deserve a coordinated approach that will allow everyone to move forward.

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