Minneapolis Mayor Defends Limited ICE Cooperation After Fatal DUI by Undocumented Driver
In a Fox & Friends appearance, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey reaffirmed his refusal to broadly cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement even when pressed about the 2024 drunk‑driving death of Victoria Eileen Harwell, allegedly caused by Ecuadorian national Llangari Inga. The article recounts that Inga was twice released from Hennepin County custody in May 2025 despite ICE detainers, before federal agents finally arrested him after his blood‑alcohol level tested at roughly twice the legal limit. DHS now claims that since President Trump took office, Gov. Tim Walz and Frey’s policies have led to nearly 470 criminal non‑citizens being released back onto Minnesota streets, a figure the mayor counters by arguing that many ICE targets are "not a problem" for city safety. Frey insisted he supports investigating and jailing people who commit serious crimes but said his administration will not help sweep up long‑time immigrant residents, while DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin framed sanctuary politicians as "fighting for criminal illegal aliens" and Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as standing with victims like Harwell.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- Mayor Jacob Frey told Fox & Friends he will not broadly cooperate with ICE, saying many immigrants ICE is targeting in Minneapolis are "not a problem" for public safety.
- Ecuadorian national Llangari Inga is accused of killing Victoria Eileen Harwell in an August 2024 drunk‑driving crash; Hennepin County twice released him in May 2025 despite ICE detainers before ICE rearrested him.
- DHS alleges that under Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Frey, nearly 470 criminal non‑citizens have been released in Minnesota despite detainers, and is using Harwell’s case to attack Minneapolis’s sanctuary‑style stance.
đź“Š Relevant Data
From 2020 to 2024, over 81,000 new Americans moved to Minnesota, making immigration the primary driver of population change and contributing to 94% of net population gains.
Immigration became the leading component of population growth in Minnesota this decade — Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Minnesota's foreign-born population reached nearly 490,000 residents in 2023, comprising 8.6% of the state's total population, with foreign-born workers accounting for almost 11% of the labor force.
The Growth and Impact of Minnesota's Foreign-Born Workforce — Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Fueled by economic hardship and a surge in violence, over 244,000 Ecuadorians have requested asylum in the US since 2021, making them the 8th-highest nationality for asylum requests.
Why Have Hundreds of Thousands Fled Ecuador Since 2020? — AULA Blog
Nearly 60% of Minnesota's total labor force and employment growth from 2019-2023 came from foreign-born workers, helping to mitigate historic labor shortages.
The economic contributions of New Americans in Minnesota — Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Almost 40% of immigrant households in the Twin Cities pay more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating higher housing cost burdens compared to the general population.
New report highlights key housing issues facing immigrant communities in the Twin Cities — Minnesota Housing Partnership
In 2025, about one-quarter of ICE detainees in Minnesota had criminal convictions, another one-quarter faced pending charges, and nearly 50% had neither, with traffic and immigration offenses being the most common.
ICE detentions: By the numbers following recent Minnesota activity — KTTC News
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