Seat belts required on newly purchased school buses.
Summary
HF187 amends Minnesota Statutes section 631.50 to require state and local institutions that are publicly funded to inquire into the nationality of certain people in custody and, if they appear to be undocumented, notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or the appropriate federal immigration officer. The bill applies to people committed after felony convictions and to people committed because of mental illness, including those found mentally ill and dangerous or posing a risk of harm due to mental illness.
The bill also adds a new requirement that, by September 1, 2025, correctional and other publicly funded institutions housing people serving felony sentences must review the immigration status of each such person in custody and provide specified information to federal immigration authorities if the person appears to be an undocumented alien. The notice must include the conviction information, length of commitment, country of citizenship, and last known entry date and port into the United States.
Impact
The bill would expand and clarify existing Minnesota law on notice to federal immigration authorities from certain state and county institutions, including correctional facilities, jails, and other publicly funded institutions. It would impose affirmative duties on officers in charge to inquire into nationality and report suspected undocumented status in two settings: felony commitments and certain mental health commitments, and it would create a separate statewide review requirement for felony-sentence populations by a fixed deadline. Affected parties include the Department of Corrections, county sheriffs, administrators of state and county institutions, and individuals in custody who may be subject to immigration status screening and reporting.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of committee testimony or recorded votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be framed as a public-safety and immigration-enforcement bill. The available information suggests support from the bill’s authors for stronger notification requirements, but there is no recorded committee debate or vote history here to show broader legislative sentiment. The caption provided in the context does not match the bill text, so the text of the bill is the controlling source for analysis.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the requirement that publicly funded institutions inquire into nationality and notify federal immigration authorities when a person appears to be undocumented, especially in the context of mental health commitments and felony custody. Potential concerns include privacy, due process, administrative burden on local institutions, and the effect on access to treatment or cooperation with correctional and mental health systems. Supporters would likely emphasize immigration enforcement and public safety, while critics would likely focus on civil liberties, discrimination concerns, and the use of state resources for federal immigration screening.
Similar To
Notice provided to United States immigration and Customs and Enforcement when a suspected undocumented person is being housed in a facility under the institution's control by certain publicly funded state and local institutions requirement provision
Notice provided to United States immigration and Customs and Enforcement when a suspected undocumented person is being housed in a facility under the institution's control by certain publicly funded state and local institutions requirement provision
Publicly funded state and local institutions required to provide notice to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement when certain noncitizens are being housed in a facility under the institution's control.
Publicly funded state and local institutions ensured to provide notice to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement when noncitizens are being housed in a facility under the institution's control.