Immigration resources

Olmsted County is committed to building the foundation for a safe, healthy, and welcoming community. During this period of increased federal immigration enforcement in our state and county, it is important for residents to stay safe and know their rights regarding immigration issues.

Below are immigration-related resources with information for individuals and organizations. 

Public agencies in Minnesota

• Minnesota Office of Ombudsperson for Families: Know Your Rights resources for immigrant communities or anyone who works with immigrant communities.
• Minnesota Attorney General - Know Your Rights with ICE

Organizations dedicated to serving immigrants

• Immigrant Legal Resource Center
• Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM)
• Southeastern Minnesota Interfaith Immigrant Legal Defense (SMIILD)
• Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services

Additional resources

• Immigration Preparedness Toolkit
• Know Your Rights Resources
• National Immigration Legal Services Directory
• ACLU – Immigrants’ Rights
• Delegation of Parental Authority (DOPA) Information: A DOPA is a document that lets someone take care of your children when you can’t. It gives permission for someone else to make decisions about your child’s care, custody, and property.

Role of local law enforcement

Immigration is a federal issue, and immigration violations are civil, not criminal. Accordingly, local law enforcement officers in Minnesota do not enforce immigration laws; only federal law enforcement officers are authorized to do so. The shared position of the Sheriff’s Office and the Rochester Police Department is focused on public safety.