Owatonna mayor responds to attacks on Somali community

Comments recently made by President Donald Trump regarding the Somali community caught the attention of Owatonna Mayor Matt Jessop.

To say the least, he is not happy about them.

“As the mayor of a town with a significant Somali population, the recent language used to describe the Minnesota Somali population disturbs me,” he wrote in a Facebook post which has received significant attention in the past week. “In my day job I work with hard-working residents of Owatonna every day. Many of those people are Somali Americans and citizens of Owatonna. They are here seeking a better life. To say that these are people that contribute nothing and don’t work couldn’t be farther from the truth, is out of touch, and is, frankly, insulting.

“They’re here working hard and contributing every day. They are our neighbors, our friends, our employees. They’re business owners and entrepreneurs. They are children attending our schools. They are deserving of our respect just like any other member of the Owatonna community. I am asking the good people of Owatonna to show support for our neighbors in what can be a very tense and frightening time. Let’s show the world just how big our hearts can be.”

Easy decision

Even though a majority of Owatonnans voted for Trump in 2024, the mayor said the post wasn’t a tough call.

“The decision to make the statement that I made was one that came pretty easily for me,” Jessop said. “It comes from a place that was created by the faith I was raised in. It is one of compassion. It is one of love. It is one of acceptance. It is not one of judgment, or harsh words, or intolerance. To my mind, the expression of those sentiments about our Somali neighbors required a genuine human reaction. That’s what I wanted to provide.”

Jessop said he is not concerned with potential retribution from the Trump administration, which has occurred in other places.

“While the presidential administration may be interacting with larger metropolitan areas and observing statements being made by their mayors, I don’t believe the comment I shared on Facebook will lead to retaliation from the federal government,” Jessop said.

He also noted that the statement he made “ didn’t attack anybody.”

“It simply expressed my belief that all people should be treated with the same basic human dignity,” Jessop said. “My statement is really about the basic rights all Americans are afforded through our Constitution, Bill of Rights and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”

Local policing, federal agencies

Owatonna Police Chief Jeff Mundale said the police department isn’t responsible for immigration enforcement actions.

“Immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government. It is outside the scope, authority and jurisdiction of local law enforcement, absent a formal request, training and written agreements,” Mundale said.

He said instead their focus is on public safety.

“Regardless of citizenship or immigration status, OPD’s primary focus and responsibility will always be public safety,” Mundale said.

Mundale explained his department “has longstanding partnerships with various federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, ICE/HSI, DHS, CBP and IRS.”

However, he said, while they will consider “any lawful and reasonable request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials,” the department is subject to certain conditions. Any action on behalf of ICE requires a written agreement; without that agreement, the department will investigate crimes and make arrests based upon probable cause that a local or state crime has occurred or will act upon valid arrest warrants signed by a judge or magistrate.

OPD doesn’t conduct “immigration status” investigations, Mundale said. “We will notify immigration officials if we believe we are investigating or make an arrest of an undocumented immigrant who has committed a violent crime or poses a threat to public safety including threats and assaults to a law enforcement officer.”

According to Mundale, the subject was also raised this past April at the statewide Minnesota Chiefs of Police conference.

“Immigration officials emphasized that they do not conduct ‘raids’ or search schools, hospitals or places of worship. Immigration officers may visit employment offices to inspect I-9 (employment) documents,” Mundale said.

Interacting with ICE

Mundale said the police department recommends people not interfere with Immigration and Custom Enforcement officers if they are in town.

“Do not interfere or resist their authority. Local authorities do not have any jurisdiction to stop federal authorities,” Mundale said. “If people engage in any attacks against a law enforcement officer/federal official, we have a local responsibility and obligation to respond and protect and prevent assault and injury – this may mean standing with our federal law enforcement officers to prevent injury or harm to them and others. This by no means says OPD is assisting or performing immigration work.”

One of the concerns raised in many communities across the country is federal law enforcement officers generally wearing face masks, most often seen during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mundale said those with concerns about someone impersonating a law enforcement office can request identification..

“Citizens can call 911, and OPD will respond to identify and verify the person’s credentials,” he  said.

What more can owatonna do?

Across the country, cities have enacted ordinances and other policies related to how their local police department works with ICE. Asked whether he thought the city can do more to help protect residents, Jessop pointed to the city's Human Rights Commission.

“This group of dedicated volunteers is committed to working together to see that every community member has the same status in respect to civil rights, human rights, freedom of speech, property rights and economic opportunity,” Jessop said. “I firmly and steadfastly support them in their role to expand how Owatonna welcomes diversity and recognizes the rights of all people to live their lives with dignity - free from discrimination, fear, violence and hatred.”

For Jessop it all comes down to treating people with respect.

“With so many emotional stories revolving around immigration in the current media, it can be difficult to thoroughly understand competing viewpoints. I simply ask my fellow Owatonnans to take in this information with an open mind and join me in pledging to treat one another respectfully and by embracing our differences,” he said. “We are fortunate to have a local police presence that is equipped to confidently respond to immigration-related issues with a high level of integrity and respect while they protect and serve our community and those who live here, are visiting or are here to work.”