Today: Minneapolis Council to Debate Stance on Federal Immigration Enforcement and Local Business Impact

The Minneapolis City Council’s Committee of the Whole will meet today, February 17, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 380 of City Hall. The agenda is dominated by three high-profile items that intersect federal immigration policy with local fiscal management and business licensing.

Here is an overview of the key issues facing the committee today:

1. Resolution Opposing Immigration Enforcement Funding (2026-00119)

The committee will consider a resolution that calls on U.S. legislators to oppose federal funding for immigration enforcement. Additionally, the resolution specifically requests the repeal of the “Laken Riley Act,” a federal law that requires the detention of undocumented immigrants who have committed certain crimes.

• Public Concerns:

  • Supporters of the resolution often argue that aggressive federal enforcement disrupts local communities, erodes trust between immigrant populations and local law enforcement, and leads to human rights concerns.

  • Critics argue that the council is engaging in federal policy issues outside its municipal jurisdiction. Concerns have also been raised regarding public safety and the message the resolution sends regarding the enforcement of criminal statutes.

2. Minneapolis Small Business Resiliency Fund (2026-00116)

This item proposes amending the 2026 General Appropriation Resolution to redistribute “Downtown Assets Funds” toward a new Small Business Resiliency Fund. This fund is specifically intended to support local businesses that have been economically impacted by immigration enforcement activities.

• Public Concerns:

  • Proponents suggest that federal enforcement actions can cause sudden economic shocks to neighborhood business corridors and that the city has a responsibility to provide a safety net for these local entrepreneurs.

  • Opponents have raised questions regarding fiscal responsibility. With recent debates over the city budget and rental assistance funding, some critics—including concerns previously echoed by the Mayor’s office—question the long-term sustainability of redistributing dedicated asset funds and whether this sets a precedent for using city dollars to mitigate the effects of federal law enforcement.

3. Liquor License Renewals for The Depot and Canopy (2026-00032)

The council will receive and file public comments regarding the liquor license renewals for two prominent downtown hotels: The Depot Minneapolis (Renaissance Hotel) and the Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis-Mill District. These renewals were previously delayed following reports that the hotels provided lodging for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

• Public Concerns:

  • Advocacy groups and some community members have called for the licenses to be scrutinized or denied, arguing that businesses cooperating with ICE are acting in opposition to Minneapolis’s “sanctuary city” values and policies.

  • Industry advocates and legal experts express concern that the city may be overstepping its licensing authority by using it as a tool for political leverage. There are also concerns regarding the potential for litigation against the city and the economic impact on hotel staff and the broader hospitality sector if the licenses are withheld based on the identity of the hotels’ guests.

Meeting Details:

• Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

• Time: 9:30 a.m.

• Location: Room 380, City Hall

• Live Stream: Available via the City of Minneapolis website.