Minnesota Truth Council Concluded Public Testimony
The state-led body has finished hearings on the federal immigration operation known as Operation Metro Surge.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Immigration
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The Minnesota Truth Council concluded its final public testimony on September 29 in Rochester. The body, established by Governor Tim Walz in March 2026, was tasked with documenting the impacts of the federal immigration crackdown Operation Metro Surge.
Why it matters
The council was created to investigate the harms and community resistance associated with federal immigration enforcement actions. It aims to provide comprehensive policy recommendations for state and federal officials.
The Minnesota Truth Council is currently preparing its findings, with a preliminary report due by the end of October 2026 and a final report due by December 1, 2026.
The players
Tim Walz
Tim Walz is the Governor of Minnesota who established the council via executive order.
Peter Cahill
Peter Cahill is the leader appointed to oversee the Minnesota Truth Council proceedings.
Ryan Wood
Ryan Wood is a former assistant chief immigration judge who provided testimony to the council.
Markwayne Mullin
Markwayne Mullin is the Secretary of Homeland Security who was invited to testify before the body.
Todd Blanche
Todd Blanche is the Attorney General of the United States who was invited to testify before the body.
The details
The council, led by Peter Cahill, collected testimony from former officials like retired assistant chief immigration judge Ryan Wood. While the council invited Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and Attorney General Todd Blanche to testify, both officials did not respond to the requests.
Timeline
January 2025: Ryan Wood retired as assistant chief immigration judge.
March 2026: Governor Walz established the Minnesota Truth Council.
September 29, 2026: The council held its final public meeting.
October 2026: A preliminary report is scheduled for release.
December 1, 2026: The final report is due for submission.
Political Context
The Minnesota Truth Council operates by investigating the specific impacts of Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration crackdown. This effort follows a pattern set by state-level bodies seeking to document federal operations in local jurisdictions.
Residents should anticipate that the council's final report will influence potential state-level legislative proposals regarding local law enforcement's role in federal immigration operations. The findings may also affect future civil liberty protections and community support strategies across the state.
The takeaway
The conclusion of public testimony marks a significant milestone in Minnesota's effort to analyze federal immigration enforcement. Residents interested in the outcome of these proceedings should monitor state government updates for the release of the preliminary report in late October.
What happens next
The council is scheduled to release a preliminary report at the end of October 2026, followed by a comprehensive final report due by December 1, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local policy initiatives by visiting the Minnesota Immigration section.
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