Apple Valley City Council Adopts Resolution Addressing Impacts of Operation Metro Surge
The above video is from the City of Apple Valley’s March 12, 2026, City Council Meeting regarding the Operation Metro Surge resolution.
Published: March 14, 2026.
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA — The Apple Valley City Council has adopted a resolution acknowledging the local impacts of Operation Metro Surge that affected communities across the Twin Cities metro area, including Apple Valley.
City officials say the resolution is intended to recognize the effects the operation had on residents, businesses, and local government operations while urging state and federal leaders to address broader immigration policy issues and support communities impacted by the enforcement activity.
Resolution Recognizes Community Impacts
The resolution, adopted March 12, 2026, during the Apple Valley City Council Meeting, outlines several concerns city leaders say emerged during the period of heightened federal immigration enforcement. Among the impacts cited were fear among residents, workforce disruptions, economic harm to local businesses, and strain on public safety operations. The resolution also reiterates Apple Valley’s commitment to maintaining a welcoming community and protecting the constitutional rights of all residents.
City officials noted that the resolution aligns with the values outlined in the city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which emphasizes building a healthy, inclusive, and safe community.
The measure specifically:
Denounces harassment, intimidation, or discrimination based on immigration status, race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin.
Affirms that all residents are entitled to dignity, respect, and constitutional protections, including freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.
Reaffirms that Apple Valley’s long-term community goals—including safety, inclusivity, and economic vitality—depend on protecting civil liberties for all residents.
The resolution also encourages continued support for local nonprofit organizations assisting individuals and families affected by the enforcement activity.
Mayor Previously Raised Concerns with Federal Officials
Prior to the resolution, Mayor Clint Hooppaw sent a letter on February 9, 2026, to the President of the United States and Minnesota’s Congressional delegation expressing concerns about Operation Metro Surge and its impact on Apple Valley. In the letter, the mayor wrote that while immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, the operation had significant ripple effects on local communities and municipal services.
According to the letter, the enforcement surge placed additional pressure on the city’s workforce and strained the city's ability to deliver services, including public safety operations. Local police resources were pulled away from routine duties, making it more difficult to maintain the community-centered policing approach the city has built over many years. Hooppaw also warned that the enforcement activity had economic consequences for local businesses, with some temporarily closing or seeing reduced customer traffic because employees and patrons were fearful of being in public spaces.
The letter further stated that the situation contributed to growing fear among residents about interacting with law enforcement, potentially discouraging people from calling 911 or seeking help when needed.
“This erosion of trust makes our entire community less safe,” Hooppaw wrote in the letter.
Public Statement After Enforcement Operations Began Winding Down
In a February 13, 2026, public statement, Hooppaw acknowledged that federal officials had announced the enforcement operations in Minnesota were beginning to wind down.
The mayor said he was hopeful the community could begin moving toward stability, but cautioned that the impacts would not disappear overnight. He thanked community members, volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and local leaders who supported neighbors during the period of heightened enforcement.
“There is still work ahead to rebuild trust and restore normalcy,” Hooppaw said in the statement, adding that the city would continue monitoring the situation and advocating for residents and businesses.
Requests for State and Federal Action
The Apple Valley resolution also calls on state and federal lawmakers to address the broader issues raised by Operation Metro Surge.
Specifically, the city is asking:
The Minnesota Legislature to consider measures to help individuals, businesses, and local governments financially impacted by the operation.
The U.S. Congress to pursue immigration reform and enforcement policies that uphold constitutional protections and prioritize the safety of all residents.
City Police Policy Clarified
The resolution also emphasizes that immigration enforcement is handled by the federal government, and the Apple Valley Police Department does not ask about immigration status as part of routine policing activities.
City leaders say maintaining trust between law enforcement and the community is essential for public safety. The resolution also formally thanked members of the Apple Valley Police Department for their continued service during the challenging period.
Local Costs from the Operation
According to city officials, Apple Valley incurred $12,375 in police personnel costs related to Operation Metro Surge between January 7 and February 18, 2026.
City leaders noted that such costs ultimately fall to local taxpayers when federal enforcement actions create additional demands on municipal services.
Council Discussion Highlights Broader Policy Debate
During council discussion following the resolution’s introduction, members of the Apple Valley City Council voiced their support for the measure, but emphasized that the bigger issue not being discussed is our country’s overall immigration enforcement and policies, which need to be revisited and fixed at the federal level. Our nation’s process for becoming a legal citizen is broken, and that is not being talked about enough.
Several council members also expressed caution about adopting resolutions that make symbolic statements without meaningful enforcement authority. One council member referenced conversations with another city where officials had passed a resolution attempting to prohibit ICE operations on city property, despite acknowledging privately that the measure would not actually be enforced. There are also worries about passing such resolutions that can’t legally be enforced, following rulings from the Supreme Court in similar cases.
Council members said Apple Valley’s resolution was intended instead to acknowledge local impacts, reaffirm community values, and encourage constructive dialogue at higher levels of government.
Cover photo captured from the City of Apple Valley’s City Council Meeting video on YouTube.
