Minneapolis council votes to give people more time to pay rent after ICE recedes

Deena Winter, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Mar 5, 2026

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MINNEAPOLIS — A closely divided Minneapolis City Council on Thursday voted to temporarily give renters more time to pay rent and avoid eviction, although it was unclear whether Mayor Jacob Frey will support the idea.

Minneapolis landlords must give 30 days’ notice before filing an eviction; the ordinance would temporarily extend that to 60 days. The St. Paul City Council is pursuing a similar extension.

During the federal government’s 12-week immigration crackdown in Minnesota, immigrants and people of color were detained, deported and driven underground out of fear they would be arrested if they left their homes. Some have been too afraid to go to work, while some breadwinners have been plucked from homes, leading to fear of an impending eviction crisis.

Eviction filings have increased statewide, although it’s too soon to know how much of that was the result of Operation Metro Surge.

The measure approved by the council does not seek to use any taxpayer money and would apply to all renters targeted with eviction, not only immigrants. The idea is different from an eviction moratorium that the City Council has endorsed — but that only Gov. Tim Walz could enact under his emergency powers.

A March 3 public hearing on the ordinance filled the council chambers and an overflow room with about 80 people testifying over the course of six hours. Most testified that they’ve raised about as much as they can to help neighbors get through, but they’re running out of money.

Frey has five days to decide whether to veto the measure. His spokesperson released a statement expressing skepticism, saying Frey believes “the most effective solution is a targeted one,” rather than eviction moratoriums or notice extensions, which Frey called “a blunt measure.” But the spokesperson said the mayor will weigh information from experts over the next several days to decide “whether it actually helps or hinders our city.”

A number of nonprofit housing assistance providers came out against the ordinance — including a group of 13 that signed a letter — saying the ordinance is well-intentioned but would likely only lead to more evictions.

“It is not compassionate to get someone deeper into debt than they can climb out of,” Council Member Linea Palmisano said.

The council voted 7-5 to approve the measure, with one member abstaining. But several council members said they expect the mayor to veto the measure.

Council Member Jamison Whiting abstained from voting, and said if Frey vetoes the ordinance, he’ll propose a compromise that targets people who most need assistance. Council Member Jason Chavez — who had two uncles deported during the surge — said Whiting’s idea would amount to an “ICE hit list.”

Anticipating a veto, several council members goaded Frey, saying he’s gone on a national tour of talk shows and media appearances extolling the response to the surge by Minneapolis residents, but could do more.

Council Vice President Jamal Osman said Frey often goes to Somali businesses and events and learned some of the Somali language but needs to deliver for them now. The Somali people were initially heavily targeted by the Trump administration during the surge.

“Immigrants need you today,” Osman said, addressing Frey, who was not present. “I appreciate your work during the challenging time, but it was all talk; it was all media. The actual work starts today, and has started. So let’s see how you stand up for immigrants.”

Referring to the mayor saying during a news conference that ICE should “get the fuck out of Minneapolis,” Chavez said, “It’s very easy to cuss at ICE; it’s actually harder to do policy work to help people stay in our city.”

Council Member Robin Wonsley accused opponents of showing “disdain for poor people” and called on the mayor to “actually be a leader” and “do more than give grandiose speeches.”

Voting in favor were Council President Elliott Payne, Osman and Council Members Wonsley, Soren Stevenson, Chavez, Aisha Chughtai and Aurin Chowdhury.

Voting against were Council Members Michael Rainville, LaTrisha Vetaw, Pearll Warren, Elizabeth Shaffer and Palmisano.

Whiting abstained.