An influx of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis has since led to ICE operations in nearby suburbs, including in Pierce County.

Pierce County Sheriff Chad Koranda stated ICE has periodically informed the sheriff’s office of their presence in the county. Both the sheriff’s office and the River Falls Police Department do not participate in the 287(g) program, which delegates immigration enforcement to local officers.

Koranda said ICE has access to the same information the public does, which can be found online on the jail roster.

“The jail honors all warrants signed by a judge and verified through NCIC [National Crime Information Center]. Typically, ICE ‘detainers’ are not warrants. Release dates are published through the online roster for everyone in custody,” Koranda stated.

The office has not received federal funding for immigration enforcement.

During the Jan. 27 River Falls City Council meeting, a handful of residents spoke about ICE in the community. Some asked for the city to oppose ICE operations in River Falls while another resident said it would be the safest for the community to have police work alongside ICE. Later in the meeting, City Administrator Scot Simpson answered a few previously posed questions, saying the city does not have any agreements through the 287(g) program. He said with no holding cell, tribal task force and warrant service officers, the city would not have the ability to participate in those portions of the program.

“Policy 413 regards immigration violations. Of most note, probably, to folks is that, ‘An officer should not detain an individual for any length of time for civil violation of federal immigration laws or related civil warrants,’” Simpson said. “Officers may detain, so they do not shall, but they may detain an already lawfully detained person that committed a criminal violation or has a federal warrant.”

The River Falls School District addressed the matter in the Jan. 16 newsletter.

“School leaders and personnel realize that events involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in and around the Twin Cities metropolitan area, including reports of their increased presence in our region, have created anxiety within our community. The RFSD’s primary concern is to create a safe learning environment for students and adults. Accordingly, the District communicates regularly with the River Falls Police Department (RFPD) and other area leaders to ensure we are operating with the most accurate information regarding potential safety and security concerns. While all situations are unique, local law enforcement leaders continue to indicate that children are not the target of current enforcement actions. We will continue to follow all applicable federal and state laws, and school policies, while remaining focused on creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students and families. Please see the clarifications below regarding ICE presence on school grounds and how immigration status relates to enrollment,” the newsletter reads.

The referenced clarifications include the district not permitting ICE agents on school grounds without “prior authorization.”

“While current indications suggest that ICE is not targeting schools, we recognize that situations originating off-campus have the potential to spill over. If this occurs, staff are instructed to follow established protocols to ensure student safety, including contacting administration and the RFPD immediately. Administrators will require agents to provide appropriate identification and will follow our policies regarding law enforcement interactions with students,” the letter reads. “While the District recognizes the need for law enforcement to investigate matters, we do not want non-school police matters to disrupt the instructional day. Law enforcement should not use the school setting to bypass student and parental rights.”

The building principal or superintendent has the authority to deny a request to interview a student during the instructional day according to the newsletter. The letter also mentioned bus policies, stating that the bus is considered school property, with the bus driver being advised to contact the director of transportation or superintendent before allowing the officer into the vehicle. Bus stops, on the other hand, are considered public property, giving agents the authority to interact with students.

“Drivers and school personnel are not responsible for intervening if they observe law enforcement interacting with parents or students at a bus stop. However, drivers will confidentially report these interactions to the Director of Transportation when it is safe to do so,” the letter reads. “If a student is afraid to exit the bus, the driver will allow the student to remain on board and will contact the Director of Transportation. The Director will then contact the family or emergency contacts to create a plan for the child to be picked up at the bus garage.”

Indivisible River Falls, a local chapter of a national organization, recently held a candlelight vigil to honor Alex Pretti, the second person in Minneapolis who was shot and killed by ICE agents in January. At the City Council meeting, members of the organization once again spoke to their anti-ICE position. The group promotes keeping ICE out of communities, defunding and restricting the agency, protecting immigrants through “Know your Rights” trainings, nonviolent action and accountability for the organization.

Those in favor of cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE have spoken to topics including cooperation being safer than opposition, enforcement of illegal immigration and a protection for communities.