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Immigration officials and state authorities clash over deportation figures, with federal estimates significantly higher than local data suggests. A FOX 9 investigation has uncovered a substantial discrepancy between federal claims and state reality regarding the number of immigration detainers in Minnesota’s correctional facilities.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly stated that more than 1,360 immigration detainers exist for individuals currently held in Minnesota’s jails and prisons. These detainers are formal requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) asking local law enforcement to hold individuals suspected of immigration violations for up to 48 hours after their scheduled release, allowing federal agents to take them into custody.
However, a detailed investigation by local journalists reveals the actual number may be dramatically lower. Minnesota Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell has expressed significant skepticism about the federal figures, suggesting they may be misleading or inaccurate.
“We’ve been trying to understand where these numbers are coming from,” Schnell said. “The data we have access to doesn’t come anywhere close to matching what federal officials are claiming.”
To verify the numbers independently, FOX 9 contacted Minnesota’s six most populous counties to determine the actual count of ICE detainers in their facilities. While Ramsey County did not respond to inquiries, the investigation found just 36 active detainers across the other five major counties. Commissioner Schnell estimated there might be approximately 100 detainers in total across all 87 Minnesota counties.
When accounting for the state prison system, which has generally cooperated with ICE detainers, the investigation suggests the total number of non-citizens in custody with active immigration detainers is closer to 300 – less than a quarter of the figure claimed by federal authorities.
The discrepancy raises important questions about data transparency and the relationship between federal immigration enforcement and local jurisdictions. It comes at a time when immigration policy continues to be a contentious political issue nationwide, with debates intensifying about the role local law enforcement should play in federal immigration enforcement.
Recent surveillance footage has documented instances of cooperation between state facilities and ICE, including the transfer of Jaime Tirado-Hernandez, who was convicted of murder. These transfers highlight that Minnesota’s state prison system does work with federal immigration authorities in some capacity.
Border czar Tom Homan has emphasized the importance of these detainers, suggesting they reduce the need for ICE agents to conduct operations throughout communities in Minnesota. “Having a reliable pipeline from county jails directly to ICE is essential for efficient immigration enforcement,” Homan stated. “Without that cooperation, we need more agents in the field, which diverts resources from other priorities.”
The disagreement over numbers reflects broader tensions between different levels of government regarding immigration enforcement responsibilities. Some local jurisdictions have moved toward limiting cooperation with ICE detainers, citing concerns about community trust, resource allocation, and constitutional questions about holding individuals without judicial warrants.
For Minnesota counties and the state department of corrections, accurate data is crucial for resource planning and policy decisions. The significant gap between federal claims and local reality complicates these efforts and raises questions about the basis for federal statements.
As the debate continues, both federal and state officials face increasing pressure to provide transparent, verifiable data about immigration enforcement. The discrepancy underscores the challenges of coordinating complex immigration policies across different levels of government, particularly when the actual numbers remain disputed.
State officials continue to request clarification from federal authorities about the methodology behind their higher estimates, but thus far, detailed explanations have not been forthcoming despite repeated inquiries.
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6 Comments
I’m curious to learn more about the methodology used by both sides to arrive at their respective detainer counts. The discrepancy could be due to different reporting criteria or data collection processes.
Interesting discrepancy between federal and state data on immigration detainers in Minnesota. It’s important to get accurate figures to understand the true situation on the ground.
As a mining and commodities investor, I don’t have a direct stake in this immigration issue. But I appreciate factual reporting that examines government claims and holds authorities accountable, regardless of the policy domain.
Kudos to the local journalists for digging into this and uncovering the potential disconnect between the official federal claims and the state’s own records. Transparency is crucial on sensitive immigration issues.
Agreed. State officials like Commissioner Schnell raising questions about the federal numbers is a good sign they’re taking this seriously and want to get to the bottom of it.
This highlights the need for better data sharing and coordination between federal and local authorities when it comes to immigration enforcement. Hopefully they can reconcile the differences and provide the public with accurate, reliable figures.