CAAL, MAP Senate Caucus to hold hearing on ICE enforcement impacts

By AI, Created 11:35 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – The Coalition of Asian American Leaders will convene Asian Minnesotan Day at the Capitol on April 30 at the Minnesota State Capitol, culminating in a formal legislative hearing on the effects of ICE enforcement on Asian Minnesotan communities. Organizers say more than 250 people are expected as the event opens Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Why it matters: - Asian Minnesotan communities are facing federal immigration enforcement pressure, threats to educational equity and economic instability. - The Capitol event is meant to give community members a direct channel to lawmakers while policy decisions are being made. - Minnesota’s Asian population is about 6% of the state, or more than 332,000 residents. - Nearly 60% of that population is Southeast Asian, including the largest urban Hmong population in the United States.

What happened: - The Coalition of Asian American Leaders will host its annual Asian Minnesotan Day at the Capitol on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. - The event opens Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. - The Minnesota Asian Pacific Senate Caucus and CAAL will hold a formal hearing on the impacts of ICE enforcement on Asian Minnesotan communities. - The hearing is scheduled for 1:00 to 3:00 PM in Capitol Room G-15. - Community members, leaders and stakeholders are invited to deliver testimony directly to state senators. - The hearing will be officially recorded. - The hearing is co-hosted by Sen. Tou Xiong, Sen. Foung Hawj and Sen. Susan Pha. - More than 250 community members are expected to attend, and walk-ins are welcome.

The details: - The day begins with a morning program from 9:15 to 10:30 AM in the Capitol Rotunda. - Invited state leaders include Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth and Majority Leader Erin Murphy, with participation pending availability. - Legislative meet-and-greets run from 10:45 AM to noon. - Lunch is scheduled for 12:15 PM. - CAAL’s 2026 legislative priorities include $100 million in relief for small businesses impacted by the ICE surge. - The relief proposal is tied to SF4535, sponsored by Pha, and HF4477, sponsored by Frazier. - CAAL is also advocating for policies that protect immigrants, refugees, workers and small businesses from harmful enforcement and systemic barriers. - CAAL supports the STAR Act, SF4176 sponsored by Fateh and HF3924 sponsored by Feist. - The STAR Act would prohibit federal immigration enforcement without judicial warrants at schools, school bus stops and colleges. - CAAL says the education agenda includes expanded access, language equity and culturally responsive resources for Asian Minnesotan students and families.

Between the lines: - The hearing is as much a political signal as a policy event, showing that Asian Minnesotan leaders want immigration enforcement framed as a statewide community issue, not only an immigration debate. - The focus on small-business relief suggests organizers see the economic fallout from enforcement as immediate and measurable, not abstract. - Centering testimony in a recorded Senate hearing raises the stakes for lawmakers and gives community concerns a permanent public record.

What’s next: - Community members are expected at the Capitol on April 30 from 9:15 AM to 3:00 PM. - Organizers are urging attendees to engage legislators and testify during the hearing. - CAAL will continue pushing its legislative agenda during the session, including enforcement protections, education equity and small-business relief. - More information, the organization’s Instagram, the organization’s Facebook page and CAAL on X are listed in the release.