Mayors Warn Trump's Immigration Tactics Could Erode Trust in Law Enforcement

Mayors say federal immigration crackdown is damaging community relations with police.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 11:47pm

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Mayors from across the U.S. expressed frustration at the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, warning that the federal crackdown is eroding trust between local law enforcement and their communities. Several mayors said they now carry identification to avoid being "harassed" by immigration agents, while others criticized the tactics as making police appear to be an "occupying force" in neighborhoods.

Why it matters

The mayors' comments highlight the growing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local law enforcement, who rely on community trust and cooperation to effectively police their cities. The aggressive tactics risk undermining that trust, the mayors warned, which could have broader public safety implications.

The details

Mayors described a dynamic where they face pressure from constituents to evict federal immigration agents from their cities, something they lack the authority to do. They said the federal crackdown has had an impact even in cities not directly targeted, with Lincoln, Nebraska's mayor warning that "when trust is lost in how laws are being enforced in one city, we feel the risks to our police officers and to our residents in all cities." The mayors expressed appreciation for the administration's goal of deporting undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes, but criticized the implementation as heavy-handed.

  • The comments came as the United States Conference of Mayors opened its meeting in Washington on January 28, 2026.
  • The discussion was reignited by the recent killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by two federal agents in Minneapolis on January 25, 2026.

The players

Elizabeth Kautz

The Republican mayor of Burnsville, Minnesota, who has carried her passport around her city to avoid being "harassed" by immigration agents.

David Holt

The Republican mayor of Oklahoma City and president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors this year.

Leirion Gaylor Baird

The Democratic mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska, who warned that when trust is lost in how laws are enforced in one city, it impacts all cities.

Jerry Dryer

The Republican mayor of Fresno, California, who previously served as the city's police chief for 18 years.

Jim Hovland

The nonpartisan mayor of Edina, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis, who described "external forces" tearing at the fabric of his community.

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What they’re saying

“Those ICE agents don't know that I'm the mayor of the city of Burnsville. I could be coming out of a store and be harassed so I need to make sure that I have credentials on me.”

— Elizabeth Kautz, Mayor of Burnsville, Minnesota (ksgf.com)

“There has been no more urgent challenge facing all Americans these past few weeks than the chaos in Minnesota stemming from an unprecedented surge in immigration enforcement.”

— David Holt, Mayor of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (ksgf.com)

“When trust is lost in how laws are being enforced in one city, we feel the risks to our police officers and to our residents in all cities.”

— Leirion Gaylor Baird, Mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska (ksgf.com)

“In order to gain that trust, we have to police neighborhoods with their permission. We cannot be seen as an occupying force when we go into these neighborhoods.”

— Jerry Dryer, Mayor of Fresno, California (ksgf.com)

“It's really hard to figure out how to deal with it.”

— Jim Hovland, Mayor of Edina, Minnesota (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The White House has not invited the mayors for a meeting while they are in Washington this week, though the mayors hope to continue discussions with the administration about finding a balanced approach to immigration enforcement that maintains community trust in law enforcement.

The takeaway

The mayors' comments underscore the delicate balance local leaders must strike between cooperating with federal immigration authorities and maintaining the trust and cooperation of their diverse communities. Finding that balance is crucial for effective policing and public safety, but the aggressive tactics of the Trump administration are making it increasingly difficult for mayors across the country.