Oct. 19, 2026
Cities for Safe and Stable Communities (CSSC) is moving from surge response to standing preparedness on behalf of more than 850,000 Minnesotans. Formed earlier this year in response to Operation Metro Surge, the coalition has continued meeting since the legislative session ended. In its second phase, this nonpartisan network of more than 25 cities will track federal actions as they reach residents and speak with one voice at Capitols in St. Paul and in Washington, D.C.
“The Cities for Safe and Stable Communities recognizes the power we have in numbers,” said St. Louis Park Mayor Nadia Mohamed. “Earlier this year, I said that we intended to be prepared to respond effectively in the future to federal decisions impacting our cities, and I’m encouraged by the continuing work to build relationships and coordinate information sharing so we can be proactive together.”
Read more.
May 26, 2026
Municipal aid for Operation Metro Surge costs not included in tax omnibus bill
The city has continued its involvement as a founding member of the Cities for Safe and Stable Communities Coalition, now with more than 30 members. This included supporting the state omnibus tax bill that included $2 million for a one-time reimbursement mechanism for documented costs cities incurred due to federal enforcement actions. While ultimately this portion of the tax bill didn’t pass, cities built strong relationships through the Coalition and learned there is strength in numbers.
Automated license plate readers
At an April study session, the St. Louis Park City Council discussed the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) by the St. Louis Park Police Department. Residents who are interested in learning more about how the city’s ALPRs are used can visit the transparency portal and the ALPR policy(PDF, 25KB) used by the police department. Read the minutes.
April 30, 2026
Municipal aid for Operation Metro Surge costs advances in Senate taxes omnibus bill
Reimbursement for Minnesota cities that absorbed costs during Operation Metro Surge moved one step closer to law on April 30, 2026. The Senate Taxes Committee passed its omnibus tax bill which includes $2 million for city aid provisions. The bill now awaits a Senate floor vote. Read more.
April 22, 2026
Minnesota cities ask state legislature to share costs of Operation Metro Surge
On April 21, the Senate Taxes Committee heard testimony on SF 5038, a bill that would reimburse Minnesota cities for documented municipal costs incurred during Operation Metro Surge. Mayor Julie Deshler of Crystal and Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley testified on behalf of the Cities for Safe and Stable Communities Coalition, a nonpartisan group of 33 Minnesota cities, urging lawmakers to pass the legislation. Read more.
March 24, 2026
Hennepin County Small Business Recovery Fund application period closes March 25
Businesses in Hennepin County that have experienced significant financial and operational hardship due to the recent federal immigration enforcement surge can apply for financial support through the Hennepin County Small Business Recovery Fund. Applications opened March 18; the deadline to submit an application is 4 p.m. March 25, 2026. Visit the city's small business resources page for information on this program and others.
Hennepin County announces property tax penalty abatement
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners has authorized abatement of 2026 property tax late-payment penalties for eligible taxpayers experiencing hardship due to Operation Metro Surge. Pursuant to state law, property taxes are due May 15 and Oct. 15. Under this action, penalty abatement applications and full payment of past-due taxes are due by June 30, 2026 (first half) and Nov. 30, 2026 (second half). This provides property owners an additional six weeks of time to pay without penalty. Property owners can submit applications online or in person at the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S. 6th St., Minneapolis. It's important to note that this special abatement is separate from the existing process and doesn't affect a property owner's ability to request penalty abatement for any reason once every 10 years.
March 23, 2026
Minnesota cities call on state legislature to deliver 2026 small business relief
Cities for Safe and Stable Communities is urging lawmakers to pass small business relief bills this session, as they are essential to stabilizing local economies in the aftermath of Operation Metro Surge. On March 23, St. Louis Park Mayor Nadia Mohamed testified before the Senate Jobs committee on behalf of the coalition in support of SF 4527 and SF 4535.
Preliminary coalition data shows an estimated 150,000 immigrant and foreign-born community members were directly affected by the surge, which directly impacted hundreds of local businesses. Businesses in the coalition cities reported revenue losses of 50 to 100 percent during the operation.
The disruption has hit small businesses especially hard. Accounts from local business owners describe conditions as "worse than COVID." Restaurants, markets, and salons saw foot traffic plunge. One business closed for a month and a half due to staffing shortages, resulting in close to $4,000 in food losses alone. Other businesses are falling behind on rent from $15,000 to $45,000. Business owners across the coalition described maxing out credit cards to stay afloat.
The coalition is asking lawmakers to support 2026 relief funds for businesses impacted by the surge. The coalition continues to assess the full scope of economic damage and is supporting additional policy changes to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
About Cities for Safe and Stable Communities: Cities for Safe and Stable Communities is a nonpartisan coalition of 25 Minnesota cities working together to restore economic stability, public trust, and effective local governance in the aftermath of Operation Metro Surge. The coalition works to stabilize city operations, rebuild resident confidence, and advocate for policies that protect local authority and constitutional rights.
March 19, 2026
Cities for Safe and Stable Communities Coalition responds to Governor Walz's 2026 Supplemental Budget
The Cities for Safe and Stable Communities Coalition, a nonpartisan coalition of Minnesota cities formed in response to Operation Metro Surge, are encouraged that Governor Walz included vital investments in housing and business support in his budget proposal, released on Tuesday.
The coalition recognizes the Governor's supplemental budget as a meaningful step toward addressing the economic and civic disruptions Minnesota communities continue to experience since Operation Metro Surge. In particular, the coalition supports the $33 million in emergency rental assistance, as well as the $10 million in partially forgivable small business loans for businesses that experienced substantial revenue losses during the surge.
These investments are a start. Cities across Minnesota are still managing the aftermath of the surge, including workforce instability, business closures and housing insecurity. The economic impacts are not limited to the Twin Cities—communities of all sizes will require recovery efforts and need comprehensive state support.
However, the coalition urges the Governor and the legislature to go further by including food security support in the final budget. Operation Metro Surge disrupted the workforce and created higher needs for food shelf access and nutrition assistance programs. As a result, families across the state are experiencing heightened food insecurity, and cities need state investment to ensure no Minnesotan goes hungry as our communities stabilize and recover.
The coalition will continue to work with the Governor and the legislature to secure the resources and safeguards Minnesota cities need to recover from Operation Metro Surge, including direct fiscal relief to cities for the overtime, public safety and service costs cities absorbed.
March 17, 2026
Somali TPS termination temporarily paused; individuals should still prepare
The impending March 17, 2026, 11:59 p.m. end of Somali Temporary Protected Status has been temporarily paused by a federal court. Somali TPS remains in effect for now, pending further court action. It’s still important that individuals with Somali TPS prepare and get advice specific to their situation. The City of St. Louis Park provides community resources, including on immigration topics. You may also visit the City of Minneapolis resources or email oira@minneapolismn.gov.
March 10, 2026
At its March 9 meeting, the St. Louis Park City Council formally approved the City of St. Louis Park's participation in the Cities for Safe and Stable Communities Minnesota Coalition, which has three core priorities: stabilizing local economies and city operations, reaffirming local control and the rule of law, and strengthening public trust and community safety. The coalition is focused on practical coordination and real-time problem solving through legislative advocacy that includes:
- Validating what is happening on the ground
- Stabilizing city operations and protecting core services
- Sharing information across cities
- Strengthening communication with residents
- Engaging state and federal partners
- Identifying safeguards for the future
Upon its formation in early February 2026, the coalition comprised the cities of Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights, Eden Prairie, Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Maplewood, Minnetonka, Richfield and St. Louis Park. It has since more than doubled in size.
March 5, 2026
At its March 2 meeting, the St. Louis Park City Council approved amending a social services contract with St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP) to increase funding for food support by $50,000. STEP requested the additional funding to more effectively respond to a significant increase in need for food assistance due to current federal actions. The city had previously awarded STEP $175,000 for emergency rent assistance and $50,000 for food assistance for 2026, following a competitive request for proposals process for services from non-profit agencies offering basic needs services to St. Louis Park residents. To learn more about STEP and other community organizations, services providers and informational resources visit the city's community resources page.
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. Read the full news release.
Feb. 12, 2026
The Cities for Safe and Stable Communities coalition, which includes the City of St. Louis Park, welcomes today’s announcement by Border Czar Tom Homan regarding the conclusion of the surge within the coming weeks. Coalition leaders are encouraged by the news that federal officers will be withdrawn or redeployed, signaling the de-escalation our communities have urgently requested. Read the full news release.
Feb. 10, 2026
At a Feb. 10, 2026, special meeting, the St. Louis Park City Council adopted a resolution affirming the city’s values and commitment to upholding them and outlining the city’s strategic actions in response to federal actions to support those most impacted in St. Louis Park. Before adopting the resolution, the council hosted a public comment period to hear from the community. Read the news release.
Feb. 2, 2026
A coalition of mayors announces the formation of Cities for Safe and Stable Communities (MN). We are a grassroots, local government-led coalition dedicated to restoring stability and trust in government. While our cities have faced challenges for some time, Operation Metro Surge has created an urgent need for a unified local voice. Read the news release.
Jan. 31, 2026
On Jan. 31, 2026, the federal court denied an emergency request to halt Operation Metro Surge, but did not rule that the operation is lawful, justified or constitutional. The city will continue to support the lawsuit as protecting community safety, trust and local decision-making remain priorities, regardless of this interim ruling. The City of St. Louis Park had joined with other suburban communities in signing on to a "friend of the court brief” (Amicus Brief) for this lawsuit brought by the Minnesota Attorney General and the Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Jan. 26, 2026
The City of St. Louis Park is joining with other suburban communities in signing on to a "friend of the court brief” (Amicus Brief) for the existing lawsuit brought by the Minnesota Attorney General and the Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Brief specifically asks the court to issue a temporary injunction against aggressive ICE activity that is closing schools and businesses and reducing access to courts and public services due to the fear and apprehension caused by ICE tactics. It argues that ICE operations be limited to acceptable constitutional operations. The court hearing on this lawsuit is set for Jan. 26, 2026.
Jan. 16, 2026
A statement from the City of St. Louis Park on federal immigration enforcement in the St. Louis Park community and in Minnesota:
Since early December, many members of our community have been living in fear and even hiding due to federal immigration activity. The escalation of these activities in recent weeks has intensified that fear throughout the community, disrupting daily lives, businesses and learning.
While the chaos in our community is not making us safer, it can bring us together in pursuit of our common values. We are a welcoming city for all. Our city will remain focused on its strategic priorities, grounded in the values you have shared with us through visioning processes. These priorities reflect our shared commitment to service, community voice, safety and respect for the dignity of all people.
To support the community, the city maintains a list of informational resources, community organizations and service providers offering help on a variety of topics, including immigration. These resources are available on the community resources page.
We want to remind residents that the St. Louis Park Police Department’s position on enforcing immigration laws remains unchanged. The police department doesn’t enforce federal immigration law, request documentation of immigration status or maintain that data in its records. The St. Louis Park Police Department's position on enforcing immigration laws is on the city website on the police department's frequently asked questions page, under "Policing practices and other training." The St. Louis Park Police Department responds to the everyday needs of those who call 911 for service, regardless of immigration status.
In a collective statement, St. Louis Park City Council Members said, “When sworn in as council members, we vowed to uphold the Constitution of the United States and of Minnesota. We will continue to do that in service to our community, as you elected us to do, to ensure the rights of our residents aren’t trampled upon in this effort to intimidate, frighten and subdue Minnesotans.”