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*January 22, 2026*






Legislative Update - Immigration

Friends and neighbors,

As we all know too well, Minnesota is again in constant national headlines, and not for anything great. This time, it is regarding immigration enforcement and protest. 

I serve as your State Representative in St. Paul, not Washington DC. As is my approach to many issues, I have quietly and diligently been working backchannels and behind the scenes, to understand all angles, and to be an agent in finding a better path and solution for Minnesotans. Even on this *federal issue*.

Over the past few days, it has become evident that private diplomacy with industry, and legislative leaders – including the Governor’s Office – has not been fruitful so far. The situation on Minnesota’s streets has devolved more than it ever should have.

_This is a federal and administrative issue._ Emotions on all sides are high. Vitriolic, hyper-partisan, statements by state officials, inflammatory press coverage, and gaslighting, is widespread in the news and social media.

*I have endeavored to NOT inflame the situation.* 

While Mayor Frey says “…Get the F* out!”, it might be better for him to _settle the heck down,_ and to address crime, fraud, and illegal immigration, not incite chaos that has made the issue worse.

During times of unrest, the words and choices of elected leaders have impact. We must speak thoughtfully, especially in times of crisis. Instead of calming tensions, Mayor Frey and Governor Tim Walz fueled fear and anger by falsely claiming that Minnesota is “at war” with the federal government, “under attack” by ICE, and went on to smear federal agents.

This kind of extreme and reckless rhetoric makes everyone less safe, fans the flames of hate and division, and emboldens some Minnesotans to interfere with and attack federal law enforcement, putting themselves and officers in harm’s way.

 

Supporting Officers and a Safer State

It is necessary to enforce federal immigration law and to apprehend the most dangerous criminals who have entered the United States illegally! *The mission of removing dangerous criminals must be supported*, along with the law enforcement officers tasked with carrying out this operation.

Even so, the way in which ICE raids have played out in Minnesota over the past weeks brings real concerns and has caused fear and disruption in our communities, schools, and businesses. As an advocate for limited government, I do not celebrate seeing large scale efforts by federal authorities to track down people in streets, cars, or businesses – especially if there is mistaken identity of US Citizens.

*We can also be concerned* by the frequency, manner, and method, enforcement has reached. It is alarming to hear reports like an Eden Prairie restaurant having federal officers chase down the chef, or a US citizen taken out of his St. Paul home, only to be later returned, as his identity had been mistaken. There has also been enforcement more locally, impacting people’s lives at work and school.

_Every reasonable Minnesotan can agree that we want violent felons removed from our streets._ *The amount of illegal immigration allowed into our country during Biden’s years was "_a choice_" and now necessitates the recent enforcement. *

Protestors interfering, hindering, and attacking, law enforcement has crossed the line of right to protest and unfortunately caused the death of an activist. It is sad that it happened, but the protester put herself in that position. Having escalated the situation multiple times that day, she was no longer peaceful, but endangered surrounding officers and onlookers with her vehicle.  

 

BUT, Why Minnesota?

Why is this turmoil happening in Minnesota and not so much in other states? Michigan for instance, has had 2,300 ICE arrests. Why wasn’t Michigan in the national news?

*_As the Minnesota House Republicans made clear in our recent letter to Governor Walz, the answer lies with Walz’s consistent refusal to assist federal agents in any capacity._*

Minnesota’s jails and prisons have more than 1,360 already criminally convicted noncitizens in custody. These are people that have committed crimes such as murder, drug and human trafficking, rape, burglary, and armed carjackings. ICE has requested that, after they have served their sentences, these prisoners be released to federal officers for deportation.

However, in defiance of federal request, Governor Walz "_has chosen,_" and has instructed Minnesota’s police agencies, to release them back onto our streets. Immigration Enforcement is then tasked with the dangerous job of re-apprehending these people. This is why ICE arrests are occurring in unfortunate, less safe locations, rather than simply taking place as an orderly prisoner transfer.

*Click below to read our letter urging cooperation with Federal Request:*

Letter To Walz [ [link removed] ]

By refusing to transfer criminals in the controlled environment of a jail, Walz forces federal agents to conduct high-stakes arrests in neighborhoods, which increases the risk to bystanders and officers alike.

 

What Can Be Done?

Minnesotans are not in control of how federal immigration laws are enforced, but our status as a “sanctuary state” has drawn the attention of the federal government.

Remember, across the country, thousands of criminal illegal immigrants are arrested and deported every day "without riots, without chaos, and without violent confrontations," because state and local governments coordinate with federal immigration authorities.

For further questions regarding how ICE conducts their operations, click here. [ [link removed] ]

*Here in Minnesota, the solution is straightforward: *

*_Gov. Walz and Mayor Frey should end Minnesota’s sanctuary policies and cooperate with federal law enforcement_** to identify, arrest, and detain, criminal illegal immigrants.*

Defying federal law and demonizing federal law enforcement is not working and is only making the situation worse. The refusal to cooperate with federal law enforcement is escalating the current crisis in the Twin Cities.

_The behavior we saw over the weekend, with protesters disrupting church services over suspicions of political differences, is absolutely unacceptable_. PERIOD.__

*Click the image below to view video of the disruption:*

Cities Church Protest [ [link removed] ]

Peaceful protest is part of the foundation of our country – _shutting down a house of worship because you disagree with one of its leaders is not!_

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*We could end this chaos today, by:*


* Publicly directing law enforcement to assist federal partners in maintaining order and de-escalating confrontations with agitators.
* Having AG Keith Ellison immediately rescind the Feb, 2025 and Dec, 2025 opinions that prevent sheriffs and local agencies from honoring ICE detainers.
* Tell (DFL) elected officials and activists to stop interfering with lawful federal enforcement actions. Their rhetoric is inciting the very "terror" they claim to oppose.

The people of Minnesota deserve a government that puts their safety first.

We must demand that Governor Walz end the sanctuary policies that are the root of the current disruption.

 

*Minnesotans are tired of fraud, tired of street violence, and tired of being an embarrassing headline in the national news.*

*We want to see a return to the common-sense, fiscally responsible, leadership that once made our state an amazing place to raise a family, create a business, and enjoy "the good life."*






"Representative Jon Koznick"

"House District 57A"











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2nd Floor Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.6926







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