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01.29.2026






Legislative Update

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Friends, 

I want to thank everyone who has reached out to share their concerns. I appreciate you taking the time to write and engage with me on these difficult issues. Please know that I am listening, and I share the deep concern many of you feel about what has unfolded over the past several weeks.

As both a Minnesota State Representative and a middle school principal, my purpose is simple: to serve people. In recent weeks, the unnecessary loss of life and the impact of immigration enforcement have reached families in my own community. For some, these moments register as headlines. For me, they are deeply personal, reflected in the faces of students, families, and staff I encounter every day at school.

I've always worked to serve everyone in our community, and I remain committed to doing so. Guided by that responsibility, I have spent significant time in conversation with federal, state, and local officials from across the political spectrum, as well as law enforcement, business owners, and everyday Minnesotans. My goal is to listen carefully, understand differing perspectives, and help identify a responsible path forward. I believe this kind of engagement is more productive than reacting through social media or the press without a full understanding of the facts. That, in my view, is what leadership requires.

It also requires a commitment to truth. Blurring facts and fiction to support your narratives is not what a good leader does. Families and communities are the ones who pay the price for that dishonesty.

I've heard some of my Republican colleagues claim that ICE has "only" detained the “worst of the worst.” That does not align with what I've seen and heard in my own community. I’ve witnessed neighbors with no history of violent crime, people who are working, raising families, and contributing to our state, taken into custody and removed from Minnesota. I’ve also heard the President and members of his Cabinet make statements that don’t match up with that reality. That hurts public trust in our institutions and that is unacceptable to me.

At the same time, I've heard many of my Democrat colleagues speak as though everyone facing removal should be allowed to remain, even in cases involving serious criminal convictions. I also see fear amplified through inaccurate claims and performative rhetoric, as though social media posts can substitute for serious leadership. That approach only deepens anxiety and division. 

Like many Minnesotans, I've found it increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction in a clickbait-driven news cycle designed to inflame emotions rather than inform. That is why I believe it is essential to step back, understand how we arrived at this point, and focus on solutions that balance human dignity, public safety, and clarity. 

Federal leadership bears responsibility as well. For years, leaders in both parties have allowed immigration laws to remain outdated, using the issue as a political weapon instead of delivering durable solutions. The result has been enforcement operations that are larger, more visible, and more disruptive than necessary. 

In neighboring states such as Wisconsin and Michigan, greater coordination exists between federal, state, and local agencies. As a result, enforcement is more targeted, involves fewer agents, and occurs with fewer confrontations. Cooperation allows the law to be enforced safely and with dignity, respecting both the rule of law and the humanity of those involved. 

Despite significant challenges, there are encouraging signs of improvement. Recently direct communication between federal, state, and local leaders has been described as constructive. There has been a change both in immigration enforcement leadership and posture. Tom Homan has taken the helm in Minnesota and held a press conference [ [link removed] ] early Thursday morning where he explained the situation as it stands, the conditions under which agents would withdraw, and closed with questions from reporters.  

While uncertainty remains, one thing is clear: the path forward begins with open and honest communication among all parties involved.

Over the past three weeks, I have hosted multiple town halls [ [link removed] ] and seen firsthand that, despite passionate differences, Minnesotans are capable of respectful dialogue when we put down our phones and speak face to face. Federal and state leadership must do the same. 

Enforcing the law and maintaining public trust are not mutually exclusive. We can do both. I remain committed to practical solutions, good-faith collaboration, and lowering the temperature so we can move forward in a way that respects human dignity while keeping our communities safe. 

Recently, one of my pastors challenged our congregation to “love in all directions.” Just over a week ago, we saw what “loving in all directions” looks like when a young girl was abducted in Zimmerman. Minnesotans from all walks of life put aside their differences and worked side by side to bring the child home. That is who we are as Minnesotans at our best and that's the spirit I will continue to embrace as we move forward.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your perspective. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have additional thoughts or questions. 

Sincerely,

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658 Cedar Street
Saint Paul, MN 55155
651.296.5185







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