House Committee to consider bill preventing local governments from entering certain contracts with ICE
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Tonight, Rep. Fue Lee (DFL – Minneapolis) will present his bill to prevent local governments from contracting with federal government agencies, such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to provide facilities for detention of undocumented immigrants who have not committed a crime.
What: Hearing on immigration contracts in the Subcommittee on Local Government
When: Wednesday, February 19, 6:30 p.m.
Where: State Office Building Basement Hearing Room
Who: Rep. Fue Lee
ICE currently maintains approximately 54,000 detention beds nationwide, approximately 1,000 of which are in Minnesota. ICE pays local jails more per inmate than other federal law enforcement agencies, creating an incentive for counties to imprison more people who have not committed crimes beyond overstaying their visas.
Sen. Bobby Joe Champion is carrying the bill in the Senate.
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