Federal Government Seeks Access to Minnesota Voter Rolls and Welfare Data Amid Tensions
In a move that has sparked controversy, Attorney General Pam Bondi is pushing for the federal government to gain access to Minnesota's voter rolls and public assistance data. The request comes as tensions flare in Minneapolis following a second person being shot by federal immigration agents assigned to a weekslong crackdown in the city.Bondi's Letter to Governor Walz
In a three-page letter obtained by CBS News, Bondi urged Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to let the federal government access the state's voter rolls and public assistance data. She claimed that this would help 'bring back law and order' in Minnesota and improve the lives of Americans. However, her request was met with resistance from Governor Walz's office, which stated that the federal government must end its occupation of the state immediately.
Concerns Over Data Access
Bondi's letter also called for Minnesota to scrap all 'sanctuary' policies and cooperate fully with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She claimed that this would help prevent federal agents from being put in danger. However, critics argue that the request is an attempt to coerce the state into giving the federal government private data on millions of U.S. citizens in violation of state and federal law.
Federal Government's Push for Access
The Trump administration has been pushing for greater access to Minnesota jails and prisons for weeks, suggesting that it may roll back immigration operations in the state if it had more power to go into detention facilities to pursue people accused of being in the U.S. illegally. State corrections officials say they already cooperate with ICE, but cooperation varies at the county level.
Governor Walz's Response
In response to Bondi's letter, Governor Walz's office sharply criticized the conduct of federal immigration agents, including Saturday's fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and another shooting by a federal officer that killed Renee Good earlier this month. The statement read: 'This is not common sense, lawful immigration enforcement. That is not what this occupation is about. And it's not what the attorney general's letter is about.'
The controversy surrounding Bondi's request highlights the ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities over issues of data access and immigration enforcement. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the consequences of this dispute could have far-reaching implications for both Minnesota residents and the nation as a whole.
