Video & Transcript : 'alien deportation' :
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KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor. (2-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- We don't need Kentucky tax dollars paid by Kentucky citizens going to people illegal aliens in the United
- We don't need Kentucky tax dollars paid by Kentucky citizens going to people illegal aliens in the United
- investigating these state job sites and places where tax dollars are being spent to make sure that illegal aliens
- ><00:10:37.120><c> that</c><00:10:38.120><c> uh</c><00:10:38.240><c> illegal</c><00:10:38.639><c> aliens
- </c><00:10:39.000><c> are</c> to make sure that uh illegal aliens are to make sure that uh illegal aliens
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor met and first took up SB 129, with a committee substitute adopted before testimony. The bill would allow certain qualified third-party entities in Louisville Metro, including public bodies and long-standing nonprofits, to purchase certificates of delinquency on vacant and abandoned residential properties after 90 days, with the goal of returning blighted property to productive use and back on the tax rolls. Several members supported the measure as a tool for housing and economic development, while Senator Boswell and Chair Willer noted concerns about protecting vulnerable property owners, such as widows, the elderly, and people with disabilities. SB 129 was approved by the committee with favorable expression.
The committee then heard SB 178, which updates statutes related to the Education and Labor Cabinet by moving the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Division of Program Policy into statute, renaming Business and Apprenticeship to Industry and Apprenticeship, and making related organizational changes. Testimony from cabinet staff said the changes reflect work already being done and that a floor amendment would be needed for one additional correction. The bill was advanced unanimously with favorable expression.
Next, the committee considered SB 151, which would bar state tax dollars from being used to pay persons not legally present in the United States. The sponsor argued the bill was needed to prevent Kentucky funds from going to undocumented workers on state job sites, while Senator Wheeler questioned what the bill would change beyond existing law and how such payments would occur through contracts or appropriations. Senator Yates said he was not opposed to the premise but wanted more time to review the bill’s mechanics, and Senator Thomas voted no for the same reason. Despite those concerns, SB 151 passed with favorable expression.
Finally, the committee heard SB 2011, a workers’ compensation bill that would delay newly appointed administrative law judges from taking office until Senate confirmation, extend current ALJ terms through June 1 of next year, and allow retention votes for board members to improve stability and attract more applicants. The sponsor said the bill addresses a loophole that can discourage qualified candidates from applying because they may have to leave private practice before confirmation. After a question about whether the bill would affect salaries, the sponsor explained compensation is set by statute and caseload need is separately reviewed. The bill received favorable expression and the meeting concluded with no further business.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , as someone who comes from a mixed-status family, and someone whose own family has experienced deportation
- human trafficking and jailing... ...to protect victims of human trafficking and jailing, and/or deporting
- Because she was as worried about being deported as she was about the violence she was encountering every
- enforcement, including anyone working for ICE: show me how many traffickers have been arrested and deported
Summary:
The Senate considered a comprehensive immigration-related bill, the Protect Act (House No. 5316), with extensive debate focused on limiting civil immigration enforcement in sensitive locations and protecting immigrants, victims, workers, and public institutions. Supporters argued the bill would reduce fear in schools, hospitals, courts, child care settings, and other community spaces, while preserving criminal law enforcement and public safety cooperation. Several senators also emphasized the economic and community contributions of immigrants, and some spoke from personal or district experience about fear, school enrollment declines, and impacts on health care and daily life.
A number of amendments were debated. Amendment 6, offered by Senator Kennedy, was adopted to extend protections to DDS facilities and disability-related care settings, with supporters stressing the importance of protecting immigrant caregivers and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Other adopted amendments included Amendment 7 on effective dates, Amendment 34 adding residential schools/programs as safe spaces, Amendment 10 on courthouse curtilage, Amendment 13 protecting health care workers from retaliation, Amendment 20 establishing an immigration commission with minority-party representation, and Amendment 69 as a corrective/technical amendment. Many other amendments, largely offered by Senator Tarr and others, were rejected, including proposals concerning 287G agreements, detainers, civil arrests, court authority, and legal defense funding; several amendments were also withdrawn.
The chamber took multiple roll-call votes on contested amendments. Amendment 59 on 287G funds was defeated 5-34, Amendment 63 on status information tied to criminal offenses was defeated 7-32, Amendment 67 on felony detainers was defeated 10-29, and Amendment 75 on state-funded legal defense programs was defeated 5-34. After amendments were completed, the Senate adopted the Ways and Means recommendation, ordered the bill to a third reading, and then passed it to be engrossed by a 37-3 vote. The Senate later rejected a House amendment, appointed a conference committee, and adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Human Services Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- increase the number of qualified immigration attorneys who could defend California residents against deportation
- over the last year, immigrants remain vulnerable to arbitrary arrests, inhumane detention, and deportation
- Immigration law is one of the most complex and Detention and deportation without due process.
- Today, when an individual or family needs urgent legal assistance in a deportation case, or when there
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several bills focused on homelessness, child care, food security, public assistance, immigration legal services, and veterans’ benefits. SB 479 would allow city-based local health jurisdictions, including Berkeley and Oakland, to use multidisciplinary homeless response teams and share specified information across departments; supporters said the change would improve coordination and outcomes, and no opposition testified. SB 902 would allow electronic signatures for child care and development services paperwork while preserving paper options; supporters said it would reduce burdens on families and providers, and the bill passed to the Assembly Education Committee 4-0.
The committee also heard SB 1025, creating an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate California’s food assistance efforts, and SB 1030, repealing the CalWORKs “man-in-the-house” rule. Supporters of SB 1025 said the state’s food system is fragmented and needs a coordinated strategy; SB 1030 supporters argued the rule is outdated, redundant, and rooted in racist and sexist assumptions. Both bills received no opposition testimony and were approved on 4-0 votes, with SB 1025 sent to the Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee and SB 1030 to Appropriations.
The committee then approved SB 1077, which would require CDSS to create a communications and contingency plan for CalFresh disruptions during federal government shutdowns, including a public webpage and planning for state-funded benefits; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1194 would codify the Immigration Legal Fellowship Project to expand immigration legal services in underserved areas, and supporters emphasized the need for legal representation in rural and Central Valley communities; it passed 4-1 to Judiciary. SB 1201 would seek federal waivers to protect veterans from CalFresh time limits, require referrals to county veterans service officers, and adjust treatment of job-search expenses; it passed unanimously 6-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. The consent calendar, including SB 557 and SB 1051, also passed unanimously. After all items were heard, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Human Services Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- increase the number of qualified immigration attorneys who could defend California residents against deportation
- over the last year, immigrants remain vulnerable to arbitrary arrests, inhumane detention, and deportation
- Immigration law is one of the most complex and Detention and deportation without due process.
- Today, when an individual or family needs urgent legal assistance in a deportation case, or when there
Committee:
House Human Services
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) May 7th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , as someone who comes from a mixed-status family, and someone whose own family has experienced deportation
- human trafficking and jailing... ...to protect victims of human trafficking and jailing, um, and/or deporting
- Because she was as worried about being deported as she was about the violence she was encountering every
- enforcement, including anyone working for ICE: show me how many traffickers have been arrested and deported
Summary:
The Senate took up the Protect Act, a broad immigration-related bill, and first adopted Amendment 6 offered by Senator Kennedy. Kennedy framed the amendment as strengthening protections for DDS facilities and other disability-related settings, arguing that immigrant caregivers are essential to the direct care workforce and that these spaces should be treated as sensitive care environments. The chamber also agreed to print several senators’ remarks in the journal.
Members then considered a series of amendments, with many withdrawn or rejected. An effective-date amendment was adopted, while multiple amendments from Senator Tarr and Senator Keenan dealing with 287G agreements, detainers, civil arrests, notification procedures, sanctuary-related language, and other enforcement provisions were defeated. Amendment 34, expanding safe-space language to include residential schools and residential programs licensed or funded by the state, was adopted. Amendment 11 on protecting immigrant victims of crime and trafficking was not adopted.
Later, the Senate adopted Amendment 10 from Senator Edwards on courthouse curtilage and Amendment 20 establishing a commission on immigration, with Edwards noting minority-party representation would be included. Amendment 13 from Senator Miranda, protecting health care workers from retaliation when acting in good faith for patients, was also adopted. A corrective amendment from Senator Friedman was adopted, and Senator Montigny used the occasion to speak about human trafficking and the need to protect victims and prosecute traffickers.
After the Ways and Means recommendation was adopted, the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 37-3. The Senate then took up a House amendment to a student learning and mental health bill, rejected the House changes, and appointed a conference committee. The chamber also adopted an order to adjourn and recessed until the following Monday.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) May 7th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , as someone who comes from a mixed-status family, and someone whose own family has experienced deportation
- human trafficking and jailing... ...to protect victims of human trafficking and jailing, um, and or deporting
- Because she was as worried about being deported as she was about the violence she was encountering every
- enforcement, including anyone working for ICE: show me how many traffickers have been arrested and deported
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- We are hearing from people who have seen children detained, parents deported while their children watch
- We've also heard stories of people who are in fear and they're self-deporting themselves.
- And then when they self-deport themselves, they're being held at the border and then they're putting
- You know, when you have family members, we have family members that have been deported.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, January 2, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- especially those that are unaligned with my administration's policy of removing violent criminal illegal aliens
- 55.440><c> criminal</c><00:13:56.240><c> criminal</c><00:13:56.720><c> illegal</c><00:13:57.040><c> aliens
- </c> violent criminal criminal illegal aliens violent criminal criminal illegal aliens from<00:13:57.839
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color Feb 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- My systems of harm was when my father was deported back to Belize at my two months of living.
- My father was deported back to Belize when I was two months old.
- Her father was deported at two months old, so what can we do with her?
- That's the only thing that stopped me from getting deported. Another thing that they tried...
- Deportation, we'll leave that alone. And I want to say I was out of school for maybe like a month.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Duval, and Jim Wells County, which is located within a corridor that remains the heaviest area of alien
- Many illegal aliens now reside in the U.S.
- lie within a corridor. that experiences, as was previously stated, some of the highest volumes of alien
- This creates a natural funnel where these criminals use the back roads to smuggle aliens and drugs into
- Without these upgrades, we can't effectively patrol or intercept this continuous flow of illegal aliens
Bills:
HB1589 , HB2208 , HB2297 , HB2560 , HB2725 , HB3080 , HB4417 , HB4473 , HB4520 , HB4662 , HB4888 , HB4905 , HB4906
Committee:
House S/C on Transportation Funding
Keywords:
HB 1589, toll road, toll project, toll project entity, voter approval, local control, county election, commissioners court, Transportation Code, Chapter 372, road construction, highway funding, infrastructure, public referendum, ballot measure, transportation policy, Texas toll roads, regional mobility, toll collection, vehicle registration
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, July 14, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Two illegal Venezuelan aliens, both reported members of Tren de Aragua, the gang notoriously known around
- Two illegal Venezuelan aliens, both reported members of Tren de Aragua, the gang notoriously known around
- Two illegal Venezuelan aliens, both reported members of Tren de Aragua, the gang notoriously known around
- It is wrong for children battling cancer to lose access to health care or to be deported to countries
- to countries they care or to be deported to countries they have<08:17:20.638><c> never</c><08:17:20.878
Bills:
SB1596 , HB1770 , HB1709 , HR504 , HR410 , HR1044 , HB1729 , HB2316 , HR900 , HB3657 , HB1765 , HB1717 , HB2037 , HB1455 , HB1766 , HB1618
Keywords:
Jocelyn Nungaray, Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, national wildlife refuge, Texas, Houston, refuge renaming, commemorative naming, federal land, US Fish and Wildlife Service, public law 119-30, immigration, illegal aliens, Tren de Aragua, memorial, wildlife refuge act, Consumer Safety Technology Act, AI for Consumer Product Safety Act, Blockchain Innovation Act, Digital Taxonomy Act, Consumer Product Safety Commission
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- This is about funding deportation.
- The federal government is building a deportation army.
- No state dollars will be used to support Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda.
- And also, I just don't, I'm wondering if this program is effective and this money is used to deport them
- ...used to deport them, who is going to clean people's yards, pick up after people?
Summary:
The meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a guest introduction for Deputy Frank Sloop. The Senate then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, with most measures receiving do-pass recommendations after brief explanations and, in several cases, floor amendments. Topics included public records, capital outlay review, local government, taxation, state budget implementation, higher education appropriations, utility regulation, towing regulation, homeowners association disclosures, nursing board regulation, veteran services, criminal justice, human services, K-12 education, state property management, and the continuation of the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
Several bills were amended on the floor before receiving favorable recommendations. House Bill 2114 on motorcycle-related provisions was amended to require that at least one registered owner be legally licensed to operate a motorcycle in Arizona. House Bill 2397 on HOA/condominium disclosures was amended to change disclosure timing and fee rules and make other conforming changes. House Bill 2408 on nursing board regulatory action was amended to remove a clear-and-convincing-evidence burden in disciplinary matters and clarify complaint-sharing procedures. House Bill 2957 on driver’s license/handheld provisions, House Bill 2305 on towing regulation, and House Bill 2321 on DCS-related reporting also received amendments before do-pass recommendations.
The largest item was Senate Bill 1847, the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act. Senators offered extensive floor amendments affecting agriculture, corrections, criminal justice, school safety, law enforcement equipment, vehicle theft task force funding, liquor licensing, and other budget items. During third reading and debate on the budget, Democratic senators praised negotiated gains such as funding for aging services, food assistance, civil legal aid, school meals, heat relief, and a three-year moratorium on new data center tax incentives, while criticizing border-related funding, ESA/voucher policy, and cuts to higher education and adult education. One member’s remarks were ruled dilatory after repeated off-topic comments, and the ruling of the chair was sustained by a 16-12 vote. The transcript ends with additional budget-related explanation of votes continuing after the budget’s third reading.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- This is about funding deportation.
- No state dollars will be used to support Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda.
- And also, I just don't—I'm wondering, if this program is effective and this money is used to deport them
- ...used to deport them, who is going to clean people's yards, pick up after people?
- we have a lot of good things in this bill, but I cannot support a bill that is really... used to deport
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- We are hearing from people who have seen children detained, parents deported while their children watch
- We've also heard stories of people who are in fear and they're self-deporting themselves.
- And then when they self-deport themselves, they're being held at the border and then they're putting
- You know, when you have family members, we have family members that have been deported.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of Dr. Pamela Murphy as Doctor of the Day. Members also introduced a number of guests, including Deacon Ernie Gonzalez, local Prescott officials, Arizona Game and Fish commissioners, and advocates from the Alzheimer’s Association. A proclamation was read designating January 26, 2026, as Arizona Aviation Day, with remarks highlighting the aviation industry’s economic impact and the presence of airport and aviation representatives in the gallery.
The clerk then read a long list of bills that had been first read or referred for printing, and a second-reading calendar covering measures on water and energy, education, elections, taxes, housing, veterans, public safety, and other topics. No floor votes on those bills were taken during this segment. Representative Gress also read a resolution recognizing National School Choice Week and praising Arizona’s school choice programs, including charters and ESAs.
Much of the remainder of the session consisted of members’ personal privilege remarks responding to violence and immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and elsewhere. Speakers from both parties and several senators and representatives condemned ICE tactics, described constituent fear and family separations, and called for constitutional rights, due process, and accountability. Representative Sandoval requested and the House observed a moment of respectful silence in memory of Alex Pretty and Renee Good. The House then received committee and caucus announcements and adjourned until 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 23 March, 2026; 4:00 PM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This SAVE is the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Database, which is the way to verify
- <00:21:09.040><c> is</c><00:21:09.160><c> the</c><00:21:09.280><c> Systematic</c><00:21:10.000><c> Alien
- </c> SAVE is the Systematic Alien SAVE is the Systematic Alien Verification<00:21:11.120><c> for</c><
- This is so the federal government could verify aliens and immigrants for entitlements.
- </c><00:22:58.560><c> and</c><00:22:58.720><c> immigrants</c><00:22:59.200><c> for</c> verify aliens
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Civil Rights & Judiciary Jan 28th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Civil Rights & Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- the narrative is around ensuring those individuals who committed crimes in our nation should be deported
- I work with the Khmer Anti-Deportation Advocacy Group in Washington State and the Southeast Asia Resource
- immigrant communities in Washington State as well as nationally who have faced issues of violations in deportation
- immigrant communities in Washington State as well as nationally who have faced issues of violations in deportation
- situations where they had their day but they didn't show up, so there was a detainer for them to be deported
Committee:
House Civil Rights & Judiciary
Keywords:
public safety, vulnerable users, pedestrians, protected classes, transportation, charitable organization, charity, nonprobate transfer, beneficiary designation, life insurance, retirement account, payable on death, POD account, transfer on death, TOD, financial institution, insurance company, transfer agent, estate planning, donor intent
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Stephanie Easley with the coordinating group on alien pest species.
- coordinating Stephanie Easley with the coordinating group<00:19:28.799><c> on</c><00:19:28.960><c> alien
- </c><00:19:30.000><c> I</c><00:19:30.160><c> apologize</c> group on alien pest species.
- I apologize group on alien pest species.
- converted and we would like to implement the one suggested amendment from CAPS, the Coordinating Group on Alien
Committee:
Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Summary:
The committee heard several resolutions focused on agriculture, invasive species, biodiversity, and clean energy finance. STR 34/SR 20 asked Hawaii’s congressional delegation to urge USDA to address unequal treatment of Hawaii in exporting agricultural goods; the Department of Agriculture supported the measure. STR 41/SR 25 encouraged each county to develop its own biosecurity plan, with testimony from the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, and the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species supporting county-level planning and coordination. Testifiers emphasized the importance of local response capacity for invasive species, while also noting that quarantine authority should remain at the state level; one witness requested an amendment to include possible legislative changes needed at the state and county levels. STR 110/SR 91 requested a study on the feasibility of a state green bond program, with support testimony submitted by Coalition Earth and no oral testimony from the energy office.
Members asked questions about how county biosecurity plans would interface with existing state efforts, and witnesses described current interagency work and county response plans already being developed for species such as little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, and coqui frogs. The discussion also referenced a recent Oahu coqui detection on Sand Island and the need for flexible treatment options. For the green bond measure, members described it as a potential tool for renewable energy goals. No opposition testimony was presented on the measures discussed.
On decision-making, the committees recommended passage of STR 34/SR 20 with technical non-substantive amendments, STR 41/SR 25 with the suggested amendment from CAPS, STR 56/SR 40 without amendment, and STR 110/SR 91 with technical non-substantive amendments. The recommendations were adopted by the committees, and the agenda concluded with adjournment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Human Services Committee Apr 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- over the last year, immigrants remain vulnerable to arbitrary arrests, inhumane detention, and deportation
- over the last year, immigrants remain vulnerable to arbitrary arrests, inhumane detention, and deportation
- Today, when an individual or family needs urgent legal assistance in a deportation case or when there
- over the last year, immigrants remain vulnerable to arbitrary arrests, inhumane detention, and deportation
- Today, when an individual or family needs urgent legal assistance in a deportation case or when there
Summary:
The committee first adopted a 4-0 consent calendar for SB 1345, SB 1410, and SB 1421. It then heard SB 1200 on child care, which would redefine infant and toddler age categories so providers could count 18- to 24-month-olds as toddlers without changing ratios. The author and family child care providers said the bill would better reflect child development, improve reimbursement, increase capacity, and help keep family child care businesses open; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations.
The committee next approved SB 971, a permissive framework for counties to offer senior education and technology training through local public health systems and community partners. Supporters said it would help older adults with digital literacy, fraud awareness, health, and social connection, while remaining optional and locally tailored. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-0 to the floor. The committee also passed SB 1234, which requires fentanyl to be included in court-ordered drug testing in dependency cases when drug testing is already ordered. The author, an angel family member, and a sheriff’s office witness described child deaths and fentanyl exposure risks; the bill passed 4-0 to the floor.
SB 1109, dealing with oversight of short-term residential therapeutic programs in small rural counties, drew substantial testimony. Supporters from Alpine County argued that two facilities there strain local emergency response and that annual review should be triggered by repeated serious citations or placement in counties lacking basic infrastructure. Opponents said the bill was too broad and could destabilize needed placement capacity. After discussion, the author accepted committee amendments, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations as amended. The committee also passed SB 961, which would notify financial aid applicants that they may be eligible for CalFresh; students and advocates said it would reduce food insecurity and improve college success, with no opposition, and it passed 4-0 to Appropriations.
Later, SB 1099, clarifying local governments’ authority to provide state or local public benefits to all residents under federal PRWORA exemptions, was heard and supported by local government attorneys; it was held on call after a 2-0 roll. SB 1190, creating licensing and safety rules for youth transport companies used in out-of-state residential placements, was supported by survivors and advocacy groups, with some support-if-amended testimony; it passed 4-0 to the Public Safety Committee. Finally, SB 1325, a narrow San Diego County measure to allow Feeding San Diego to participate in Cal Food under specific conditions, drew support from the author and Feeding San Diego but opposition from the California Association of Food Banks, which argued it would shift limited resources and add administrative burden. The transcript ends during committee discussion on SB 1325, before a final vote is shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Impact of ICE Activity on Agriculture and Rural Communities - 01/14/26
Transcript Highlights:
- 00:15:50.639><c> suburbs</c><00:15:51.120><c> that</c><00:15:51.279><c> got</c><00:15:51.440><c> deported
- </c> one of the suburbs that got deported one of the suburbs that got deported back<00:15:52.079><c>
- that who<00:16:08.079><c> we</c><00:16:08.240><c> want</c><00:16:08.320><c> to</c><00:16:08.480><c> deport
- <00:16:09.040><c> rather</c><00:16:09.360><c> than</c><00:16:09.759><c> fixing</c> who we want to deport
- rather than fixing who we want to deport rather than fixing our<00:16:10.399><c> immigration</c><00:
Summary:
State legislators and farm leaders held an impromptu discussion focused on the impact of federal immigration enforcement activity, especially ICE presence in Minnesota, on agriculture and rural communities. Speakers argued that agriculture is central to the state’s economy and said fear of raids is causing legal immigrant and guest workers, including H-2A workers, to stay home, disrupting farms, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, and other parts of the food supply chain. They also linked the issue to broader federal uncertainty, including USDA funding freezes and cuts, and said the lack of transparency from federal agencies is making it difficult for state officials and producers to plan.
Senator Rob Kupec and Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish said ICE activity in both the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota is creating fear, trauma, and labor shortages, with reports of workers avoiding work, lunch trips, medical appointments, and school. Wertish said the organization supports comprehensive immigration reform and called for an end to the ICE surge, while also emphasizing the need to respect local law enforcement and the rule of law. Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Andrea Vaubel said immigrants are a critical part of Minnesota’s food and agriculture workforce, warned that labor shortages could raise production costs and food prices, and said the state would not have its current food supply without immigrant workers.
In response to questions, speakers said they had anecdotal reports from rural areas such as Pelican Rapids, Willmar, and Detroit Lakes, but that the situation is changing quickly and many incidents may not yet be public. They said the lack of coordination with local law enforcement and the use of masks contribute to fear and confusion. Legislators said they have no direct jurisdiction over ICE operations but see their role as documenting what is happening, communicating with constituents, and avoiding state actions that would worsen the problem. They also said the issue is not purely partisan and may be mobilizing concern across political lines, especially among farmers worried about labor availability for planting and other seasonal work.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, March 5, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you, President Trump, for securing our border and deporting the murderers, rapists, terrorists,
- Thank you, President Trump, for securing our border and deporting the murderers, rapists, terrorists,
- Republicans passed legislation like the Laken Riley Act and the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens
- </c><00:50:47.799><c> that</c><00:50:48.000><c> protect</c><00:50:48.400><c> American</c> illegal aliens
- act that protect American illegal aliens act that protect American citizens<00:50:49.720><c> that</c
Keywords:
censure, Congress, interruption, decorum, Representative Al Green, energy conservation, appliance standards, Department of Energy, consumer products, commercial equipment, regulation disapproval, HJR61, H.J.Res. 61, Public Law 119-14, Congressional Review Act, CRA, EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, air pollution, hazardous air pollutants