On Feb. 19, 2026, the Cities for Safe and Stable Communities Coalition, representing 21 Minnesota municipalities including the City of St. Louis Park, convened at the Capitol to announce a legislative agenda aimed at stabilizing local economies and restoring public trust following the drawdown of federal officers from Operation Metro Surge.

The coalition is calling for immediate state municipal aid to stabilize cities experiencing the economic ripple effects of the 10-week operation. Mayors reported increased police overtime, business losses, food insecurity, rental assistance requests, and an education crisis. Cities are still tallying costs as the operation de-escalates.

“The damage left behind by this federal operation is significant,” said St. Louis Park Mayor Nadia Mohamed. “Our community will be recovering for some time to come as we work to shore up local businesses, provide food and rental assistance, and rebuild trust by ensuring we can respond effectively to any future federal overreach.”

Initial costs paint a stark picture of the surge’s impact beyond the Twin Cities:

• St. Louis Park and Eden Prairie local food shelves and rental assistance programs are facing funding gaps of $80,000 to $100,000.
• In Bloomington alone, 600 children have switched to remote learning due to fear of enforcement actions during school commutes.
• Brooklyn Park reported over 215 hours in police overtime directly related to managing the surge's disruptions.
• Columbia Heights’ local commerce has seen a 40% decline in business.

Beyond financial aid, the coalition also supports policy protections to prevent future federal overreach. These include reinstating “sensitive location” status for hospitals and schools, prohibiting the use of masked agents during local operations, and ending civil offense arrests at courthouses.

The primary objective for the 2026 session is securing municipal aid to restore cities to pre-surge stability. Cities are asking for resources to fix a crisis they did not create but are responsible for repairing.

About the Coalition: The Cities for Safe and Stable Communities is a nonpartisan group of Minnesota cities dedicated to protecting local economies, public safety, and constitutional rights.

The City of St. Louis Park has developed resources for the public to stay informed about current federal actions and how the city is responding. Members of the public can learn more on the Federal Action Updates page on the city’s website to stay informed on current events, read FAQs or find support resources and service providers for help on a variety of topics, including immigration.