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

Mayors face pressure to remove federal agents from cities amid national debate over aggressive enforcement.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 6:31pm

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Mayors from across the U.S. expressed frustration and exasperation over the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, which they say are eroding trust in law enforcement and making it harder for them to govern their cities. Many mayors face pressure from constituents to remove federal agents from their cities, something they say they cannot do. The surge in federal immigration enforcement has had an impact even in cities that haven't faced the brunt of the federal government's pressure, with mayors warning that when trust is lost in how laws are being enforced in one city, it affects all cities.

Why it matters

The tensions between local and federal authorities over immigration enforcement highlight the broader challenges facing mayors in balancing the demands of their constituents with the priorities of the federal government. This dynamic could have significant implications for public safety, community relations, and the ability of local leaders to effectively govern their cities.

The details

Mayors described a dynamic in which they're facing pressure from constituents to evict federal agents from their cities, something they say they cannot do, while struggling to align with federal counterparts. The surge in federal immigration enforcement has had an impact even in cities that haven't faced the brunt of the federal government's pressure, with mayors warning that when trust is lost in how laws are being enforced in one city, it affects all cities.

  • The United States Conference of Mayors opened its meeting in Washington on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
  • On Saturday, January 25, 2026, Alex Jeffrey Pretti was killed by two federal agents in Minneapolis, reigniting the national debate over the Trump administration's aggressive law enforcement tactics.

The players

Elizabeth Kautz

The Republican mayor of Burnsville, Minnesota, who has occasionally diverted from the Trump administration's views.

David Holt

The Republican mayor of Oklahoma City and the president of the United States Conference of Mayors for 2026.

Leirion Gaylor Baird

The Democratic mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Jerry Dryer

The Republican mayor of Fresno, California, who was previously the police chief in Fresno for 18 years.

Jim Hovland

The nonpartisan mayor of Edina, Minnesota, a suburb just south of Minneapolis.

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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

“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 and President of the United States Conference of Mayors

“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

“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

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

— Jim Hovland, Mayor of Edina, Minnesota

What’s next

The White House has not invited the mayors for a meeting while they are in town this week, and President Trump has repeatedly put the onus on local officials to cooperate with federal law enforcement.

The takeaway

The tensions between local and federal authorities over immigration enforcement highlight the broader challenges facing mayors in balancing the demands of their constituents with the priorities of the federal government. This dynamic could have significant implications for public safety, community relations, and the ability of local leaders to effectively govern their cities.