Bemidji Police, Mahnomen Schools Say Rumors of ICE in Region Are Unsubstantiated

With an immigration enforcement surge currently underway in the Twin Cities, officials in northern Minnesota say rumors of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the area have been unsubstantiated.

Bemidji Police Chief Mike Mastin issued a release today that said he has not been informed by anyone in the federal government about ICE action currently happening or being planned to happen in Bemidji. He emphasized that the Bemidji Police Department enforces state and local laws, not federal immigration law, and that the department will not take a proactive part in operations with federal agents if ICE activity occurs in the city.

Meanwhile, the Mahnomen school district posted a notice on social media this afternoon saying rumors of ICE activity at Mahnomen Public Schools are untrue and that nothing has occurred at their school related to recent immigration news. The district adds that they does not collect immigration status information and that outside agencies are not allowed in their schools without proper legal authorization.