Contents | Contenido
Message from the Executive Director || Mensaje de la Directora Ejecutiva
Facing uncertainties, the work continues
 Rosa Tock
As an immigrant to this country, and a resident in the state of Minnesota for twenty years, I am saddened and extremely worried about the immigration policies being implemented by the current administration in Washington. At MCLA, we work for the betterment of Latinos in our state, regardless of immigration status. The policies, legislation, and programs that we analyze and the recommendations we suggest impact all Minnesotans, including those of us who were born in other countries. MCLA embraces the long standing tradition of welcoming and integrating everyone into the social and economic fabric of our state and nation.
Myths continue to prevail regarding undocumented immigrants. One of the most common myths is that immigrants, and the undocumented in particular, commit more crimes than people who are born here. This is not supported by evidence. As the American Immigration Council explained in a 2024 study: "a robust body of research shows that welcoming immigrants into American communities not only does not increase crime, but can actually strengthen public safety. In fact, immigrants—including undocumented immigrants—are less likely to commit crimes than the U.S.-born. This is true at the national, state, county, and neighborhood levels, and for both violent and non-violent crime."
At the same time, there is the misperception that undocumented immigrants steal jobs or take public services for free. Actually, as reported by the Minnesota Reformer, undocumented migrants contribute to the fiscal base of the state far more than they take. Undocumented immigrants pay more than $200 million in Minnesota taxes each year, according to a July 2024 report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Nationwide, undocumented migrants pay close to $100 billion in taxes annually when including federal receipts.
“For every 1 million undocumented immigrants who reside in the country, public services receive $8.9 billion in additional tax revenue,” the analysts explain.
In addition, the Hispanic Advocacy and Economic Empowerment through Research (HACER) reports that in Southern Minnesota, the direct economic generation by undocumented Latino workers amounts to $4.1 billion and $5.8 billion. Also, their overall economic production ranges from $6.5 billion to $9.3 billion. For every 10 employed undocumented Latino workers, approximately eight jobs are created in Southern Minnesota.
MCLA stands in solidarity with our immigrant communities and invites the public to dispel myths with facts and evidence, and to base policy decisions and public statements on accurate, fact based information that will be helpful as our neighbors, friends, and family members navigate this new climate.
Supporters of strict immigration enforcement say that they do not want to see raids in workplaces that indiscriminately target all immigrants. But there has already been racial profiling and unfair detentions, as we saw in New Jersey, where a U.S. citizen and veteran was wrongly detained by ICE on January 23rd.
Right now, we all know someone who knows someone that has been directly affected and impacted by the ICE detentions in the Twin Cities. I often think that as a U.S. citizen I will be spared from these detentions. But that is not the case anymore. I fear these random arrests, confusion, or just an escalation of detentions so that ICE can meet their daily quotas.
Just in case, I am carrying with me my Global Entry Card, showing that I have a U.S. passport. Just in case, but none of us should have to live in fear because of who we are.
 Picture: Andrea Aragón, Guatemalan photographer
The 2025 Legislative Session || La sesion legislativa 2025
Legislative Updates | Actualizaciones legislativas
We are entering the second month of the session and, after a rocky start, the DFL and GOP Caucuses reached a working agreement that brought all members to the House of Representatives, ending almost four weeks of uncertainty and legislative work. Also, for the first time in Minnesota's history, a Black woman was elected Speaker of the House. Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-13A) will lead this body through the 2026 legislative session.
In addition, the power-sharing agreement includes other items. Until a new member is elected in district 40B on March 11, Republicans are chairing all committees in the House. Should there be a tie in this chamber, the agreement stipulates that these committees will have co-chairs, except the new Fraud Prevention and Agency Oversight Committee that will remain Republican led.
Whereas legislative priorities for the House DFL continue to be centered around affordable housing, access to health, improving childcare options, and following-up on the legislative wins of the last biennium, the Republican caucus is focusing on anti-fraud measures in government, a lean state budget, safety, and rolling back on programs and services, or unfunded mandates.
On the other hand, in the Senate, the special election of a DFL candidate on January 28, ended a temporary tie and power-sharing between the two parties. Senator Doron Clark, representing district 60, was sworn in in this chamber last week, bringing to 34 the DFL seats vs. 33 Republicans.
In the end, the state legislature must pass a balanced budget for fiscal years 2026-2027 by June 30. Hopefully their entente will prevail and agreeing on the budget will not merit a special session if they don't reach an agreement by May 19.
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