Falcon Heights and Lauderdale have joined Cities for Safe and Stable Communities, a coalition of Minnesota local governments responding to recent federal actions. The coalition seeks to “return to the stability our residents and businesses deserve.”

Officials gathered at the state Capitol on Feb. 19 to press for state aid to cities and school districts facing increased costs from the surge of federal immigration enforcement in recent months.

The coalition also called on the Legislature to strengthen protections in case of further federal incursions, including restricting law enforcement use of masks, creating “sensitive” areas in hospitals and schools and ending civil arrests at courthouses.

Anne Holzman is a Twin Cities writer who covers local government for the Bugle.