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Minneapolis Mayor Defends Non-Cooperation Policy with ICE Despite Controversial Drunk Driving Fatality
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey reaffirmed his administration’s stance against cooperating with federal immigration authorities during a Wednesday interview on “Fox & Friends,” even when questioned about a fatal drunk driving case involving an undocumented immigrant.
“We are willing to work with people when it’s about murder and when it’s about crime. But the truth is that this ain’t about that,” Frey stated. “We love them and we care about them,” he added, referring to Minneapolis’ immigrant community.
The interview focused on the case of Victoria Eileen Harwell, who was killed in August 2024 by German Llangari Inga, an undocumented immigrant from Ecuador. According to authorities, Inga was driving with a blood alcohol content more than twice Minnesota’s legal limit when the fatal incident occurred.
Court records show Llangari Inga was arrested twice following Harwell’s death. In both instances, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged detainer requests with the Hennepin County Jail, but local authorities released him without notifying federal agents. ICE eventually apprehended Inga on May 16, 2025.
When pressed by Fox News’ Griff Jenkins about why his administration refuses to cooperate with ICE regarding undocumented immigrants with criminal records, Frey maintained that many immigrants being targeted by federal authorities pose no threat to the city.
“If you commit a crime, if you commit fraud, if you commit carjacking or a murder, you should be investigated, charged, prosecuted, held accountable, and yes, arrested and put in jail,” Frey explained. “That is my position. If you commit a crime and you are a problem on the streets of the city of Minneapolis, that has made us less safe.”
“What I am saying is that a lot of the people that ICE is picking up right now in our city are not a problem for Minneapolis,” he continued.
The mayor’s stance has drawn sharp criticism from federal officials. Tricia McLaughlin, Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs, said: “Remember sanctuary politicians are fighting for criminal illegal aliens. President Trump and Secretary Noem are fighting for the victims of illegal alien crime, like Eileen Harwell.”
According to DHS, since President Trump returned to office, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Frey have refused to cooperate with ICE operations, resulting in the release of nearly 470 undocumented immigrants with criminal records back into Minnesota communities.
This dispute highlights the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement and “sanctuary” policies implemented by various local governments across the country. Supporters of sanctuary policies argue they foster trust between immigrant communities and local authorities, while critics contend they enable dangerous individuals to evade federal immigration enforcement.
Frey defended Minneapolis’ immigrant community, noting many have established businesses and have resided in the city longer than he has. “We’ve got to be thinking about other people as if it were ourselves,” he said. “What would we do in these situations? How would we handle ourselves?”
The mayor concluded by expressing concern about federal immigration operations, stating: “We care deeply about our immigrant population. We care about everybody in our city, and what we’re seeing right now is the kind of chaos that is being caused by this massive influx of ICE agents isn’t helpful.”
The case underscores the complex and politically divisive nature of immigration enforcement in the United States, with local and federal authorities often working at cross-purposes based on differing policy priorities and legal interpretations.
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7 Comments
This is a challenging situation with no easy answers. On one hand, the mayor wants to maintain the city’s sanctuary policy, but on the other, the tragic drunk driving fatality raises serious questions about public safety. I hope they can find a way to address both priorities effectively.
Interesting case with complex policy tradeoffs. I can understand the mayor’s desire to protect the immigrant community, but the tragic loss of life is concerning. Curious to hear more about the specifics and if there are ways to balance public safety with sanctuary policies.
Interesting case with complex policy tradeoffs. I can understand the mayor’s desire to protect the immigrant community, but the tragic loss of life is concerning. Curious to hear more about the specifics and if there are ways to balance public safety with sanctuary policies.
This is a sensitive and divisive issue. I appreciate the mayor’s compassion for the immigrant community, but the drunk driving fatality raises serious concerns about public safety. I hope there are ways to address both priorities effectively.
The mayor’s stance seems to prioritize protecting undocumented immigrants over preventing dangerous crimes. While I understand the desire to be welcoming, the fatal drunk driving incident is deeply troubling. More dialogue is needed to find a balanced approach.
This case highlights the difficult tradeoffs between upholding sanctuary policies and ensuring public safety. While I respect the mayor’s compassion for the immigrant community, the fatal drunk driving incident is deeply troubling. I hope there are ways to find a more nuanced approach that protects all residents.
The mayor’s stance seems to prioritize protecting undocumented immigrants over preventing dangerous crimes. While I understand the desire to be welcoming, the fatal drunk driving incident is deeply troubling. More dialogue is needed to find a balanced approach that keeps the community safe.