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About the North STAR Act. <br />North STAR prohibits state and local law enforcement from using state resources for the purpose of civil immigration <br />enforcement. This includes sharing data or accepting federal funds that would require such cooperation. It does not <br />prohibit collaboration on the basis of investigating criminal activity. <br />Immigration enforcement is the sole responsibility of the federal government. State law enforcement agencies do not <br />have the legal authority to hold people on immigration detainer unless specially authorized to do so by the federal <br />government, and the federal government cannot mandate compliance with immigration detainers. So state and local law <br />enforcement can leave immigration to federal authorities while remaining in full compliance with state and federal laws. <br />This frees up public safety resources for more appropriate ends. <br />This legislation is intended to engender trust between immigrant communities and law Enforcement. Currently many <br />immigrants, particularly those who are undocumented, avoid reporting crimes, cooperating with investigations, or <br />seeking emergency services due to fear of detainment or even deportation for doing so. North STAR will also benefit the <br />state of Minnesota economically, as immigrants who may otherwise be ensnared by unauthorized, state level <br />immigration enforcement can continue going about their day to day lives, work, support their families, pay taxes and <br />spend money in the state. Statistics show that 63% of people in ICE detention have no criminal record, and many of <br />them have been charged with minor offenses such as traffic violations. These detainers negatively impact families, <br />cause employers to lose valuable workers, and drain state resources. A study from 2020 showed that jurisdictions that <br />decouple local law enforcement from civil immigration enforcement reduce deportations without increasing crime. <br />Another report from 2017 showed that cities and states with similar policies enjoyed lowered crime rates, higher median <br />income rates, lower unemployment, lower poverty levels and reduced reliance on economic assistance programs. <br />Read the Bill <br /> English