Immigration Q&A
A few answers to some questions about immigration rights, policy, and services in Roseville
With a new Presidential administration’s plan to deport unauthorized immigrants across the country and federal funding for refugee services halted, you may be wondering how this impacts Roseville. Below are a few questions and answers about this topic as it relates to our city.
The following is not legal advice. Please consult an immigration attorney if you have questions about an individual circumstance.
Q: Is Roseville a Sanctuary City?
A: No, but police can’t inquire about immigration status
In 2017, the Roseville City Council considered becoming an official “Sanctuary City” but the council voted against adopting this designation in a split vote. However, the council did amend city policy to specifically prohibit the Roseville Police Department from inquiring about a person’s immigration status unless it is directly related to a criminal investigation. According to the resolution, Roseville Police are not authorized by the federal government to enforce federal immigration laws.
Read more about it in this September 2017 article from the Star Tribune.
Roseville does not have a jail and Ramsey County will not hold immigrant detainees for ICE, as of 2018.
Q: Can undocumented children or children of undocumented parents attend public schools in Minnesota?
A: Yes.
According to the Minnesota Department of Education, public school districts may not deny access to an education to any child based on immigration status. It is a violation of federal law to prohibit or discourage children from enrolling in public schools due to a child’s immigration status or their parents’ immigration status.
Q: Will Roseville Area Schools release information about students’ immigration status?
A: No, unless a U.S. District Court mandates it.
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a school may not disclose personally identifiable information from a student’s education records without the consent of the student. This applies to immigration status too.
If a school received an immigration subpoena (also known as an administrative subpoena) issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) signed by an immigration judge, a school would not need to comply unless there is an order from the US District Court requiring compliance. (source: Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration)
A statement emailed to Roseville Area Schools families on Jan. 28 reads:
“We take your family’s privacy seriously. Under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), personal information about students and families is protected. Any requests for this information, including from agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), are carefully reviewed to ensure compliance with the law.
Your child’s safety, well-being, and sense of belonging are our top priorities.”
Q: Where can I learn more about my rights as an immigrant in Roseville?
A: Below are several resources to learn more about your immigrant rights.
Immigration Law Center of Minnesota
City of Saint Paul Immigration Resources
National Immigrant Justice Center
Roseville Area Schools is hosting a virtual community meeting via Zoom on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 6:00 PM for families to learn more about their rights in collaboration with Minneapolis-based immigration attorneys. See below for more information:
Q: Where can refugees and immigrants find help?
A: There are many nonprofit organizations serving refugees and immigrants in Minnesota.
Organizations nearby to Roseville:
Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM)
2353 Rice St, Ste 240
Roseville, MN 55113
International Institute of Minnesota
1694 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55108
Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota
2485 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55108
Other regional news coverage on this topic:
Minnesota schools prepare for the worst: ICE agents on campus (Minnesota Reformer, Jan. 28, 2025)
Minnesota undocumented immigrants are on edge about Trump's mass deportation plan (KARE 11 News, Jan. 22, 2025)
Minnesota and other states sue to stop Trump’s order blocking birthright citizenship (MPR News, Jan. 22, 2025)
Thanks for reading The Roseville Reader! This post is public so feel free to share it.
