ST. PAUL AND WASHINGTON, DC — The League of Women Voters of Minnesota and the League of Women Voters of the United States issued the following joint statement in response to the federal immigration enforcement and escalation of federal military activity in Minnesota: 

“Minnesota is grieving and on edge. The growing presence and activities of federal immigration enforcement agents have terrorized, suppressed, and irreparably harmed our community. At a moment when Minnesotans deserve transparency, accountability, care, and calm leadership, the President has instead chosen to escalate fear by threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act and to place federal military forces on standby.

“The League opposes any illegal or unconstitutional use of the Insurrection Act, as positioning or threatening to deploy active-duty troops undermines public safety and reflects intimidation, suppression, and misuse of executive power.

“Minnesotans have endured profound trauma in recent years and have repeatedly shown that lasting safety comes from people power: communities coming together to reject hatred, violence, and mistrust, and to demand justice through democratic means. Militarization undermines that work. It escalates tension, erodes trust, and puts residents at greater risk.

“The League of Women Voters calls on Congress to exercise its constitutional oversight authority and investigate these threats of federal overreach, as well as DHS, ICE, and CBP use-of-force. We urge the public to reject efforts to normalize the use of federal military force as a response to civil unrest or tragedy.

“The League stands with Minnesotans in affirming that democracy is built by the people, not imposed through fear or force. We strongly condemn any unwarranted federal immigration enforcement and military deployment or threat of deployment in Minnesota or anywhere in the United States.”