Columbia Heights and community taking action as federal operations continue

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    Taking action during federal operation 

As federal immigration operations significantly affect Columbia Heights, causing fear and disruption, its leader remains hopeful as community connectivity strengthens. 

“Immigration [enforcement] is still cracking down in such a way that is still invoking so much fear in our community,” Columbia Heights mayor Amáda Márquez Simula told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. 

The mayor believes the city’s diversity makes it both stronger and a target for federal actions. She says local businesses are down about 40%, and families have been detained, some with their children. 

And, even with the uplifting return of 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father, Operation Metro Surge hangs heavy overhead. 

RELATED: 5-year-old and father detained by ICE returned to Minnesota 

“It’s just this balance of a win, and we still need more,” said Márquez Simula.

Community response

The city is actively seeking ways to support its residents, including a recent meeting to gather perspectives.

In response to reports of federal agents using Keyes Park as a gathering spot, the city closed the parking lot.

Márquez Simula said, “That has really, like, helped the community, I think, feel seen, and feel us responding in a physical way.”

Community members are also taking action by standing guard outside schools to ensure children’s safety. “We have a lot of family or community members who are, like, out at bus stops and out in front of the schools,” said Márquez Simula.

RELATED: Columbia Heights Public Schools: 4 students detained by ICE in recent weeks

Future cooperation

While the White House aims to ease enforcement with local cooperation, the Columbia Heights Police Department states it does not engage in immigration enforcement, and the city says there are no plans to change this stance.

Márquez Simula emphasized, “I think we are helping. We are documenting and witnessing and observing what’s happening, and that’s helping our community.”

Metro cities uniting 

Columbia Heights is also joining the newly formed coalition, Cities for Safe and Stable Communities. Among their work, they’re calling on state and federal lawmakers for immediate de-escalation, recognition of the economic harms this is causing, and a look into possibly setting up relief funding in response. 

Here are the cities part of the coalition:

Bloomington

Brooklyn Center

Brooklyn Park

Columbia Heights

Eden Prairie

Edina

Golden Valley

Hopkins

Maplewood

Minnetonka

Richfield

St Louis Park

The post Columbia Heights and community taking action as federal operations continue first appeared on KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News.