Rep. Brad Finstead (R-MN) is pushing a new bill that takes direct aim at sanctuary cities. Speaking on the House floor this month, he championed the “Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act,” which would force the Small Business Administration to close up shop in any local jurisdiction that limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Finstead said sanctuary policies make it harder for federal agencies to do their work. He also framed the issue as one of public safety.
“For years, Minneapolis has passed several sanctuary city policies while at one point attempting to defund its own police department,” Finstead said. “That further jeopardized public safety.”
He connected the legislation to border enforcement and claimed the current administration’s immigration approach had made things worse.
“Over the past four years, the Biden administration’s open border policies have allowed millions of illegal immigrants to pour into our country,” he said. “Democrat mayors have doubled down on failed sanctuary city policies that harbor criminal illegal aliens.”
The Minneapolis SBA office currently oversees services for all 87 counties in the state. Finstead argued that rural businesses would be better served if that office were moved to a different location.
“Our small business owners and those who rely on the SBA for loans, disaster relief, and support deserve access to these services in a safe, secure environment,” he said.
The proposed bill would also put into law two immigration-related executive orders previously issued by former President Donald Trump.
After Finstead’s plea for support on the House floor, the ball is now in the court of the Small Business Administration and Minneapolis officials, who have yet to make a public statement.
This bill is the latest flashpoint in the simmering national argument over immigration policy and just how much authority the federal government should have over local communities.
