Prompted by Rachel Hoppe’s fine reporting on possible ICE activity against Somali Minnesotans, I urge Eden Prairie’s leaders to respond more proactively.

Chief Sackett, please contact the Twin Cities leaders of ICE and CBP to find out whether they’re planning to stage actions in our city, and make it clear to them that your department will protect members of our community who are targeted by racial profiling or subjected to the abusive, intimidating tactics their agencies are using in other cities. Mayor Case, please introduce a resolution in the City Council to forbid mask-wearing by federal law enforcement agents when they’re working in Eden Prairie. 

EPLN editors, please link to the practical advice offered by Rep. Omar’s office in multiple languages on what to do if you face or witness immigration enforcement. I also encourage your staff to poll Minnesota’s Congressional delegation, Eden Prairie’s state legislators, and local religious leaders. Get them on the record with a response to the possible ICE crackdown here and to the latest chapter of what former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan in 2016 referred to as President Trump’s “textbook racism.”

Eden Prairie leaders, please take this opportunity to deepen trust with our fellow residents who are immigrants by showing them we have their backs.

Steve Schewe, Eden Prairie

Editor’s note: Steve Schewe is the former publisher and CEO of Eden Prairie Local News. This letter reflects his personal opinion and should not be construed as the position of EPLN.