2026 State & Federal Policy Actions – a comprehensive list

“Single roses appeared Tuesday on the desk of every Minnesota House member, some of whom wore green in honor of their slain colleague and former House Speaker Melissa Hortman. Before long, they all piled high in front of a photographic portrait of her just inside the House chamber. The fresh roses as well as a large floral arrangement were placed on Hortman’s empty desk and another bouquet sat in an empty seat where her husband, Mark, watched from when she became speaker in 2019 — a role she held for six years. She was the DFL House leader in a tied chamber last session.” -MPR News

“Minnesota lawmakers are returning to the Capitol on Tuesday for a short legislative session that will be dominated by the fallout from several deadly shootings, the state’s fraud scandal and the federal immigration surge. The narrowly divided House and Senate have just three months to try to pass legislation before a May deadline to adjourn. Ahead of the midterm elections in November, both parties also want to tackle affordability issues, as well as a package of construction projects in a bonding bill that is also on the table for debate.” -Minnesota Star Tribune

“Minnesota Republicans have defended their decision to welcome social media influencers, including the MAGA-aligned content creator Nick Shirley, into the state to highlight the issue of fraud in Minnesota’s child care programs. What followed was a weeks-long federal immigration enforcement surge that led to upheaval in and around Minneapolis, thousands of arrests and the deaths of two U.S. citizens. Minnesota Democrats have blamed Republicans for the turmoil, but Republicans say a national spotlight was necessary to take on fraud claims in Minnesota’s government programs.” -MPR News

“Rarely has Minnesota faced so many urgent needs, but election year ambitions and heightened partisan vitriol are undermining hope for the bipartisan comity needed to pass anything in the closely divided Legislature. Lawmakers will begin the session days after the Trump administration announced an end to Operation Metro Surge and the draw down of thousands of federal immigration agents in the state.” – Minnesota Reformer

“White House border czar Tom Homan said Sunday that more than 1,000 immigration agents have left Minnesota’s Twin Cities area and hundreds more will depart in the days ahead as part of the Trump administration’s drawdown of its immigration enforcement surge.” – Associated Press

“A surge of immigration arrests in the state sent thousands of people to detention centers in Texas, New Mexico and elsewhere. Federal courts have been overwhelmed with their pleas for release.” -New York Times

“A recent federal appeals court ruling means immigrants detained in Minnesota and sent to Texas won’t be released on bond — for now. Thousands of immigrants detained during the monthslong Operation Metro Surge have been sent to Texas detention facilities. While the surge in immigration enforcement is expected to end soon, the spike in arrests means many immigrants are sent away before they have a chance to talk to an attorney or have an initial hearing at the Fort Snelling Immigration Court.” -Minnesota Star Tribune

“The Trump administration will end the immigration enforcement crackdown in Minnesota that prompted widespread protests and claimed the lives of two U.S. citizens, border czar Tom Homan announced Thursday.” -NPR

“Incendiary claims about fraud in Minnesota are being aired in congressional hearings, influencer videos and by the White House. Now the state Department of Human Services is going on the offensive, pushing back against some of the assertions with a newly published ‘fact check’ page.” – Minnesota Star Tribune

“Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday said that he expects the federal immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota to wind down soon. During a press conference intended to highlight the adverse impacts of President Donald Trump’s federal immigration enforcement on small businesses and restaurants, Walz said federal officials have ‘assured us that I think we are moving towards that.'” -Minnesota Reformer

“According to the Republican Party of Minnesota, Johnson has suspended his campaign out of respect for his family and the enormity of this loss.” – Lakeland Media

“Fear of ICE agents — compounded by reports of law-abiding Minnesotans, including children, being taken into custody — has left thousands of local residents scared to leave their homes.” -New York Times

“Immigrants held in Texas now have limited legal options and indefinite timelines for detention. And in Minnesota, immigration authorities will continue to send detainees out of state as quickly as possible.” -Sahan Journal

“Republican Scott Jensen ended his campaign for Minnesota governor on Feb. 9 and announced he will instead run for state auditor. The decision by the GOP’s 2022 gubernatorial nominee came nearly a week after some 18,000 conservatives signaled their preferences for governor in a statewide straw poll.” -Minnesota Star Tribune

“President Donald Trump’s immigration operation in Minnesota was blanketing the local and national news and threatened to shut down the federal government, but Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth was talking about an issue that has united Republicans: fraud. Chatting with Republican activists streaming into precinct caucuses in Blaine Tuesday evening, Demuth touted a bill she carried to fight child care fraud long before the scandals rocking Minnesota’s social services programs came to light.” -Minnesota Star Tribune

“The Supreme Court is allowing California to use its new congressional map for this year’s midterm election, clearing the way for the state’s gerrymandered districts as Democrats and Republicans continue their fight for control of the U.S. House of Representatives.” -NPR

“Sen. Amy Klobuchar overwhelmingly won Tuesday’s Democratic precinct caucus straw poll for Minnesota governor, but a significant number voted against her — signaling that the senior senator could have work to do to win over some Democrats before November.” -Minnesota Reformer

“House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, was on her way to a strong showing in the Republican gubernatorial straw poll at precinct caucuses Tuesday night. With over two-thirds of the vote counted, the state’s first Black House speaker was leading, while Kendall Qualls, an Army veteran and former health care executive, came in a strong second.” -Minnesota Reformer

“Each day, a variation of the same, surreal conversation unfolds between staff at the Center for Victims of Torture and the refugees and asylum-seekers they serve.” -MPR News

“Precinct caucuses attended by tens of thousands of voters across Minnesota offered that venting venue as well as a chance to anoint the top contenders in an open race for governor.” -MPR News

“’Effective immediately, we will draw down 700 people — effective today,’ Homan said at a morning press conference. There are currently an estimated 3,000 federal agents in Minnesota. Wednesday’s drawdown would bring that number to about 2,300 — though at the news conference, Homan said it would be around 2,000.” -MPR News

“Fridley and Duluth public schools and Education Minnesota say responding to the surge of immigration enforcement has diverted time and money from student learning.” -Minnesota Star Tribune

“President Donald Trump signed a roughly $1.2 trillion government funding bill Tuesday that ends the partial federal shutdown that began over the weekend and sets the stage for an intense debate in Congress over Homeland Security funding.” -Minnesota Star Tribune

“Minnesotans will gather this evening for precinct caucuses across the state, the first opportunity to take the temperature of voters since President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown began.” -Minnesota Star Tribune

“The Minnesota Department of Human Services announced Monday that it’s recruiting 168 people from the state government’s 40,000 employees to help the agency conduct unannounced site checks of Medicaid providers in order to combat fraud. The site checks are part of a new effort by the state to ‘revalidate’ all 5,800 providers of 13 Medicaid services deemed high-risk for fraud, waste and abuse by DHS.” -Minnesota Reformer

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon made this statement following the introduction of the Minnesota Voter Integrity Act of 2026 in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The four members of Minnesota’s Republican Congressional delegation introduced a bill this week threatening to revoke their own state’s federal election funding, unless Minnesota’s Democratic leaders turn over voter information to the U.S. Department of Justice.” -Kare11

“The departures add turmoil to an office already reeling from last month’s mass resignation of six veteran prosecutors because of recent directives from the U.S. Department of Justice. That included the department’s refusal to initiate a civil rights investigation into the killing of Renee Good by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jonathan Ross. They have been asked to defend immigration enforcement actions that are growing unpopular with the public.” -Minnesota Star Tribune

“The U.S. government partially shut down over the weekend, as part of a continuing clash over the Trump administration’s immigration policies after federal agents killed two American citizens in Minnesota. The Senate on Friday passed legislation to fund much of the government and keep the Department of Homeland Security running for two weeks while Republicans negotiated with Democrats on new limits they were demanding on federal immigration agents. But the agreement did not come together in time to avert a lapse in funding on Saturday morning, and its fate was uncertain in the House, which still must clear the measure and send it to President Trump’s desk to fully reopen the government.” -New York Times

“A federal judge on Saturday, Jan. 31, denied an effort by Minnesota and the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis to swiftly halt the Trump administration’s surge of immigration agents to the state, saying officials have not cleared the legal threshold to bring an immediate pause to the operation.” -Minnesota Star Tribune

“The Senate voted Friday to fund most of the government through the end of September after President Donald Trump made a deal with Democrats to carve out Homeland Security funding and allow Congress to debate new restrictions on federal immigration raids across the country.” -MPR News

“President Trump threatened in a recent speech to unlawfully suspend federal funding to sanctuary cities and states beginning Feb. 1. Following an executive order issued in April 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) designated a list of ‘sanctuary jurisdictions,’ which the Administration claims have acted or instituted policies that ‘materially impede enforcement of federal immigration statutes and regulations.'” -National Council of Nonprofits

“Eight Republicans joined every Senate Democrat to block sweeping government funding legislation from advancing Thursday amid ongoing negotiations around a potential offramp to avert a lengthy shutdown of several agencies.” -Politico

“The Senate has struck a deal to prevent large swaths of the government from enduring a shutdown, while allowing for negotiations to continue over funding the Department of Homeland Security.” -NPR

“White House border czar Tom Homan said Thursday that a plan is in the works to reduce the number of federal agents in the area, after conversations with numerous political and law enforcement leaders in Minnesota.” -Minnesota Star Tribune

“Most of Minnesota’s major political offices are up for grabs next fall. The 2026 midterm ballot will include all of Minnesota’s statewide offices, from governor to state auditor, as well as an open race for the U.S. Senate. The state’s eight seats in the U.S. House are also on the ballot, including an open contest for the competitive Second District that’s attracting a crowded field of candidates.” -Minnesota Star Tribune

“The Hennepin County attorney said felony charges were filed after a federal misdemeanor charge was brought to avoid the chance the suspect could receive a presidential pardon if convicted.” -Washington Post

Attorney General Ellison released the following consumer alert on how Minnesotans can protect their digital privacy from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents.

“Minnesota’s chief federal judge on Wednesday called off his threat to potentially hold the head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in contempt for repeated defiance of court orders but delivered a withering assessment of the agency’s conduct as it has surged thousands of agents into the state.” -Washington Post

“The FBI executed a search warrant Wednesday at the elections warehouse of a Georgia county at the heart of right-wing conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, a significant escalation of the Trump administration’s efforts to challenge the narrative of his loss that year.” -Washington Post

“Senate Democrats on Wednesday unveiled a list of changes they’re demanding to legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security after federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last weekend.” -Washington Post

“The Minnesota House will be politically split down the middle again after Democrats cruised to wins in a pair of special elections Tuesday. With the Democratic wins, the House will go back to a 67-67 tie ahead of the legislative session that starts in February. The state Senate is separated by a single vote, with DFLers holding a 34-33 majority.” -MPR News

“Vic Hartman, a former FBI special agent and forensic accountant in Atlanta, said the DOJ’s white collar investigation divisions have been decimated under Trump. Skilled professionals are leaving in droves, and federal crime-fighting agencies are under-resourced.” -Star Tribune

“During a town hall with Representative Ilhan Omar in Minneapolis on Tuesday evening, a man rushed the lectern and appeared to spray her with a strong-smelling liquid before he was tackled by security.” -New York Times

“Democratic state lawmakers from the Duluth area say the ongoing federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota is having a profound impact on their constituents, even as enforcement activities have been relatively limited in the region compared to elsewhere in the state.” -MPR News

“President Donald Trump is deploying his border czar to Minneapolis as a political crisis grows over his administration’s immigration enforcement tactics, a move many Republicans view as an effort to calm tensions in Minnesota.” -Minnesota Star Tribune

“Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said some federal agents will begin leaving the Twin Cities area on Tuesday following a phone conversation with President Donald Trump.” -Red Lake Nation News

“Minnesota’s chief federal judge is ordering the head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to appear personally in a Minneapolis courtroom on Friday, with the judge saying that ICE has failed to comply with dozens of court orders.” -MPR News

“With the Democrats win, the House will go back to a 67-67 tie ahead of the legislative session that starts in February. The state Senate is separated by a single vote, with DFLers holding a 34-33 majority.” -MPR News

“The departure of Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, who has been at the center of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement surge in cities nationwide, comes as President Donald Trump dispatched border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to take charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.” -AP News

“The departure of Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, who has been at the center of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement surge in cities nationwide, comes as President Donald Trump dispatched border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to take charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.” -AP News

“The second deadly shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis is raising the prospect of a partial government shutdown at the end of the week.” -NPR

“Tim Walz issued an executive order Monday requiring weapons and hazardous materials screening at the Minnesota Capitol for the 2026 legislative session. The order comes after an independent Capitol security assessment and The Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security recommended weapons screening on Capitol grounds.” -MPR News

“Tim Walz issued an executive order Monday requiring weapons and hazardous materials screening at the Minnesota Capitol for the 2026 legislative session. The order comes after an independent Capitol security assessment and The Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security recommended weapons screening on Capitol grounds.” -MPR News

“With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions,” the open letter reads. Before the letter, most of the biggest Minnesota-based companies had not issued any public statements about the enforcement surge and unrest. -PBS

“With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions,” the open letter reads. Before the letter, most of the biggest Minnesota-based companies had not issued any public statements about the enforcement surge and unrest. -PBS

“Congressional leaders have until January 30 to reach a bipartisan deal to keep parts of the federal government open and funded, or they risk a partial government shutdown. While Congress successfully advanced several spending bills in recent weeks, Senate Democrats are threatening to oppose any legislative package that includes funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after the killing of a second protester by federal agents in Minnesota.” -National Council of Nonprofits

“In a surprise video announcement, the Minneapolis attorney said he supported the originally stated goals of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s operation in Minnesota, including the deportation of undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records, but the effort has ‘“’expanded far beyond its stated focus on true public safety threats.'” -Minnesota Star Tribune

Read more here.

“U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is pushing Minnesota to share its voter rolls and data on Medicaid and food stamp recipients with the federal government, a move Minnesota’s top elections official criticized as an “apparent ransom” to end the ICE crackdown in the state.” -Minnesota Star Tribune

“This is the third time this month a federal immigration agent shot a civilian in Minneapolis following the deployment of thousands of federal agents to Minnesota as part of Operation Metro Surge, a targeted immigration enforcement campaign.” -Sahan Journal

“‘In order to keep our residents safe, they need the ability to shelter in place,’ said City Council Vice President HwaJeong Kim. ‘Immigrant-owned businesses need to stay open and pay their workers. The impacts of an economic and housing crisis in this moment will extend beyond the current immigration operation.'” -KSTP

“The U.S. Department of Justice delivered subpoenas to offices of Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her.” -Minnesota Star Tribune

“On January 20, Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Acting Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, calling on the IRS to overhaul its oversight of charitable nonprofits and increase accountability.” -National Council of Nonprofits

“Sen. Ernst (R-IA) will lead efforts in the Senate to enact a legislative package focused on preventing fraud in federal programs. The legislative package is a response to alleged fraud in Minnesota and could impact nonprofits that receive federal grants and contracts nationwide.” -National Council of Nonprofits

“On Jan. 13, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) informed over 2,000 grantees nationwide it had terminated, effective immediately, $2 billion in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funding, stating that the grants no longer aligned with the agency’s priorities. Thanks to their effective advocacy, nonprofits and their champions in Congress successfully pressured the administration to quickly reverse course and reinstate the grant funds.” -National Council of Nonprofits

“Sen. Murphy (D-CT) introduced the No Political Enemies Act in January to protect individuals and organizations — including nonprofits and faith groups — from politically motivated harassment and prosecution by the federal government. Rep. Crow (D-CO) introduced the House companion bill.” -National Council of Nonprofits

“The career prosecutor overseeing the sprawling federal investigation into social program fraud in Minnesota resigned abruptly this week. The exodus follows reports that the U.S. Department of Justice was scrutinizing the political activity of the woman killed last Wednesday by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” -Minnesota Reformer

“Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight held a hearing on Fraud and Misuse of Federal Funds in Minnesota to discuss alleged fraud in the state’s social services programs and previous actions during the coronavirus pandemic, potentially through government contracts with a nonprofit in the state.” -National Council of Nonprofits

“Congressional leaders have until the end of the month to reach a bipartisan deal to keep parts of the federal government open and funded, or they risk a partial government shutdown. Last fall, the nation experienced the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, risking harm to nonprofits that partner with the federal government to provide critical services to millions of Americans.” -National Council of Nonprofits

“Sens. Cornyn (R-TX) and Sheehy (R-MT) introduced the No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act (S.3554) which would allow the U.S. Department of the Treasury to terminate the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations that provide material support, such as finances, services, or training, to terrorist organizations.” -National Council of Nonprofits

“In response to the viral allegations, the Trump administration froze more than $10 billion in childcare and development funds used to subsidize childcare for low-income families in five states (California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York) – a moved blocked by a federal court last Friday.” -National Council of Nonprofits

“Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced he’s dropping his bid for a third term as he responds to a fraud crisis in state government, a stunning turn for his once-ascendant political career.” -Minnesota Star Tribune

The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits created a resource page for nonprofit employers as the state’s new Paid Leave program rolls out.