St. Paul City Council Vice President Hwa Jeong Kim is facing criticism after posting a video urging residents to assist individuals evading federal immigration enforcement.
In the widely shared clip on her Instagram account, Kim encouraged neighbors to deliver groceries, escort workers home and observe the movements of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during ongoing federal operations in the Twin Cities.
Kim described a surge of federal activity in the area, claiming several individuals, including families with children, had been taken into custody earlier that morning.
“It’s not even noon, and ICE has already kidnapped five of my neighbors,” she said.
She further suggested that federal personnel outnumber local police in Minnesota, asserting, “There are more federal agents in Minnesota than we have of the St. Paul and Minneapolis police combined.”
The council member introduced what she called a “mutual aid grocery run,” framing it as a way to support workers too fearful to shop for food due to enforcement actions.
Kim also asked residents to document sightings of federal agents at city-owned properties and submit the information to her office.
“If you see this, please record it to the best of your ability and submit to the Ward Five office,” she directed.
Critics quickly condemned Kim’s remarks, arguing that she was promoting interference with federal law enforcement and contributing to the dangerous rhetoric responsible for the increased attacks on federal agents.
Many also demanded that she be arrested and charged for assisting illegal aliens.
This episode follows Kim’s prior confrontational stances toward federal authorities.
According to LifeZette, she previously called for the arrest of the agent involved in the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, an incident that intensified scrutiny of ICE operations and sparked protests across Minnesota.
The controversy emerges amid an ongoing legal battle over sanctuary policies.
In September 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the State of Minnesota, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Hennepin County and other officials, alleging that local policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement and violate the Constitution.
The complaint contends that these rules hinder information sharing and complicate federal efforts to remove individuals subject to deportation.
Supporters of immigrant protections in Minnesota have organized practical responses to federal operations, including notifying communities of ICE presence, offering transportation and providing public accompaniment rooted in faith and humanitarian commitments.
Advocates maintain these measures aim to ensure safety and uphold community obligations rather than obstruct law enforcement.
St. Paul’s municipal code already restricts the use of city resources for immigration enforcement or detaining individuals solely based on immigration status, reflecting longstanding local policies.
Kim has received endorsements from local and statewide Democratic-aligned organizations, including the St. Paul Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, the DFL Environmental Caucus, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the Twin Cities chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in Minnesota and other sanctuary jurisdictions between federal enforcement efforts and local protections for immigrant communities.
As legal challenges unfold, cities like St. Paul continue to navigate the complex balance between public safety, federal authority and support for vulnerable residents.
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