St. Paul Holds $300K in Unspent Immigration Defense Funds

City officials say they're weighing contracts and staffing before deploying the funds to aid residents' long-term legal needs.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 3:51pm

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St. Paul allocated $300,000 in its 2026 budget for immigrant legal help, but the funds remain unspent as the city's attorney's office works to determine the best way to utilize the money over the long term. The city's previous contract with nonprofit legal aid groups expired in October 2025, leaving officials to consider options like signing new agreements, hiring in-house immigration legal staff, or splitting the funds between deportation defense and naturalization assistance.

Why it matters

The unspent funds come in the wake of a large federal immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities, known as Operation Metro Surge, which sparked legal challenges from state and local leaders. Community groups have been providing stopgap mutual aid, but advocates say the city money is needed to support families facing deportation or eviction as that outside assistance dwindles.

The details

When the City Council approved St. Paul's 2026 budget in December, it allocated $300,000 to the Immigrant and Refugee Program, with $175,000 earmarked for immigration legal defense and $125,000 for naturalization assistance. However, the city's previous contract with nonprofit legal aid groups expired in October 2025, leaving officials without an easy way to quickly distribute the funds. City Attorney Irene Kao says her office is now weighing options to ensure the money can do the most good over the long term, focusing on immigrants' ongoing legal needs.

  • The City Council approved St. Paul's 2026 budget in December.
  • The city's previous contract with nonprofit legal aid groups expired in October 2025.

The players

Irene Kao

St. Paul City Attorney who is overseeing the city's efforts to determine how to best utilize the $300,000 in immigrant legal defense funds.

Minnesota Attorney General

Filed a federal lawsuit and related court papers in response to the federal immigration enforcement operation known as Operation Metro Surge.

Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul

Also filed a federal lawsuit and related court papers in response to Operation Metro Surge.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.