St. Paul City Council Vice President Hwa Jeong Kim has sparked a wave of criticism following her recent Instagram video post, where she implored residents to assist individuals in evading federal immigration enforcement. The controversial video, which quickly went viral, shows Kim urging her constituents to provide groceries, escort workers, and monitor the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents amid ongoing operations in the Twin Cities.
Kim highlighted an increase in federal activity, alleging that several individuals, including families with children, had been detained that morning. "It’s not even noon, and ICE has already kidnapped five of my neighbors," she stated in the video. She also claimed that federal agents in Minnesota outnumber the local police forces of St. Paul and Minneapolis combined.
In her call to action, Kim introduced a "mutual aid grocery run," designed to support those too fearful to shop due to the enforcement actions. Additionally, she requested that residents document any sightings of federal agents on city-owned properties and report them to her office, instructing, "If you see this, please record it to the best of your ability and submit to the Ward Five office."
Critics were quick to denounce Kim's actions, arguing that she is actively promoting interference with federal law enforcement and contributing to the rhetoric that has led to increased attacks on federal agents. Calls for her arrest and charges for assisting undocumented immigrants have intensified.
This incident is not the first time Kim has taken a confrontational stance against federal authorities. As reported by LifeZette, she previously demanded the arrest of an ICE agent involved in the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis—an event that heightened scrutiny of ICE operations and led to widespread protests.
The backdrop of this controversy is a legal battle over sanctuary policies in Minnesota. In September 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice sued the State of Minnesota, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and other officials, claiming that local policies interfere with federal immigration enforcement and are unconstitutional.
Supporters of immigrant protections in Minnesota have organized responses to federal operations, such as alerting communities about ICE activities, providing transportation, and public accompaniment. These advocates assert that their actions are meant to ensure safety and fulfill community responsibilities, not to obstruct law enforcement.
St. Paul's municipal code reflects a commitment to immigrant communities, prohibiting the use of city resources for immigration enforcement or detaining individuals based solely on immigration status. Kim's stance has garnered support from local and statewide Democratic-aligned organizations, including endorsements from figures such as Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and groups like the Twin Cities chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.
As legal proceedings continue, the incident underscores the ongoing conflict between federal enforcement efforts and local protections for immigrant communities in sanctuary jurisdictions like St. Paul. The city finds itself at the crossroads of maintaining public safety, respecting federal authority, and supporting its vulnerable residents.
