Purpose

• Create a program to help people who were removed from Minnesota to another state or country by the federal government due to an alleged immigration law violation, and who are legally free to return, to come back to Minnesota.
• Provide funding to make this program work and codify it into Minnesota law.

Main Provisions

• Eligibility: Individuals who were removed by the federal government (or its agents) for an alleged immigration law violation, and who were released but not given transportation back to Minnesota, can seek assistance to return if they are legally free to do so.
• How to request help: The person in need can contact the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) directly, or another person can contact DPS on the person’s behalf.
• Transportation and costs: If a request is approved, the Department of Public Safety must arrange transportation back to Minnesota at its own expense. If it’s more practical, DPS may reimburse the person for reasonable expenses incurred to return.
• Guidelines: DPS must set up guidelines to process requests, but must accept and try to help with any reasonable request for assistance.

Significance and Changes to Law

• Establishes a new program under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 299A (section 299A.94) to assist with the return of certain individuals to Minnesota.
• Requires appropriating money to fund the program, signaling a new state-financed effort to support these returns.
• Creates a formal process and responsibilities for the Department of Public Safety to arrange or reimburse return transportation and to create intake guidelines.

Practical Impact

• Potentially makes it easier for certain individuals removed for immigration-related reasons to return to Minnesota.
• Shifts some responsibilities and costs onto the state government (through DPS) to facilitate repatriation.

Relevant Terms - assistance with return to Minnesota - persons removed - immigration law violations - federal government and agents - Department of Public Safety - commissioner - transportation back to Minnesota - reasonable expenses - guidelines - Minnesota Statutes Chapter 299A - appropriation - repatriation / return to Minnesota