Minnesotans reacted with doubt and concern Thursday after White House border czar Tom Homan mentioned federal immigration authorities are planning for an eventual drawdown of legislation enforcement exercise within the state, whilst he vowed to stay in Minneapolis till “the problem’s gone.”
Some residents mentioned they’re bracing for a chronic federal presence, questioning whether or not a drawdown will materialize in any respect.
Nick Kalt of Stillwater, Minnesota, described the announcement as one thing to “believe it when you see it,” including that Minnesotans are making ready for the lengthy haul. “We’re kind of prepping for a long game,” he advised NCS.
In South Minneapolis, a resident named Christine mentioned Homan’s feedback don’t mirror what she’s seeing on the bottom. “In fact, in my neighborhood, there are more ICE officers out today while Homan was speaking,” she mentioned, including that she’s referred to as legislators to report what she sees as an escalation, not a pullback.
Christine additionally advised NCS her daughter was arrested earlier Thursday whereas peacefully protesting. “We have video that shows that she was not a threat to anyone,” she mentioned.
Others expressed worry and disbelief. Wendy, one other resident, advised NCS she doesn’t belief the promise of de-escalation. “I don’t believe he’s going to actually treat people with respect and dignity,” she mentioned. “The people are going to be really scared… they’re scared for their children.”
“This feels like a absolutely a terror state,” she added.
Denise, a pastor from the South Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis, described what she’s witnessed as a broad erosion of civil liberties. “Just to see everybody’s constitutional rights run over like a train,” she mentioned. “We’re just simply putting our hands in the air and saying, ‘please stop.’”