Marshall City Council Votes to Oppose State Refugee Resettlement Mandate, Cites Local Control

The Marshall City Council voted 4-1 Monday evening to oppose a Minnesota state directive requiring local communities to accept refugee resettlement, arguing that decisions about population growth and community resources should be made locally, not by state bureaucrats in St. Paul.

The resolution, which has drawn both strong support and vocal opposition in this southwestern Minnesota city of approximately 14,000, formally requests that the state legislature amend the 2024 Minnesota Refugees Resettlement Act to give local governments a voice in resettlement decisions.

The State Directive

In 2024, the Minnesota legislature passed the Minnesota Refugees Resettlement Act, which requires all municipalities in the state to cooperate with the federal refugee resettlement program and prohibits local governments from opting out. The law was passed in response to a 2019 executive order by then-President Donald Trump that allowed state and local governments to consent to refugee resettlement — an order that was subsequently rescinded by the Biden administration.

Under the state law, Minnesota cities and counties cannot refuse to accept refugees resettled through the federal program, which is administered by the State Department in partnership with voluntary agencies like Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Service.

Proponents of the law argue that refugees contribute to the state's economy and cultural diversity, and that Minnesota has a long tradition of welcoming immigrants. "Refugees are part of the fabric of Minnesota," said State Representative Aisha Gomez (DFL-Minneapolis), who sponsored the bill. "They work in our industries, they start businesses, they enrich our communities. No city should have the right to say, 'You're not welcome here.'"

Marshall's Concerns

But officials in Marshall, the Lyon County seat and home to Southwest Minnesota State University, say the issue is not about welcoming or rejecting refugees — it's about local control and community capacity.

"We're not anti-immigrant. We're not anti-refugee," said Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes. "We're pro-local control. The state is telling us we have to accept whatever number of refugees the federal government sends, regardless of whether we have the housing, the schools, the healthcare, or the social services to support them. That's not fair to the refugees, and it's not fair to the people who already live here."

Marshall has experienced significant demographic changes over the past two decades. The city's population includes a growing number of immigrants, primarily from Latin America and East Africa, many of whom work at the JBS pork processing plant in nearby Worthington.

According to the 2020 Census, approximately 18% of Marshall's population is foreign-born, up from 4% in 2000. The Marshall Public Schools district reports that 27% of its students are English Language Learners, representing 24 different home languages.

"We've welcomed newcomers," Mayor Byrnes said. "Our schools have adapted. Our businesses have adapted. But there's a capacity issue. When the state says we have to accept more people without providing additional resources for housing, for ESL programs, for healthcare — that strains our community. And the people who bear the brunt of that strain are the residents who are already here, including the immigrants who are already here."

The Council Vote

The resolution, introduced by Council Member Steven Meister, passed 4-1 after a public hearing that drew approximately 150 people to the council chambers — one of the largest crowds for a city council meeting in Marshall's history.

Of the 19 speakers who addressed the council, 13 spoke in favor of the resolution.

"I'm the son of immigrants," said Marshall resident Carlos Hernandez. "My parents came here legally from Mexico. They worked hard, they learned English, they became citizens. I support immigration. But I also support the right of a community to say, 'We need help. We need resources. We can't do this alone.' The state is dumping people here without giving us the tools to help them succeed. That's not compassion. That's neglect."

Six speakers opposed the resolution, arguing that it sends a message of exclusion.

"Marshall has always been a welcoming community," said resident Sarah Lindquist. "This resolution tells people who are fleeing war and persecution that they're not wanted here. That's not who we are."

Council Member Shelly Schippman, the sole dissenting vote, echoed that concern. "I understand the concerns about capacity," Schippman said. "But this resolution sends the wrong message. It tells the world that Marshall doesn't welcome newcomers, and I don't believe that's true."

A Broader Statewide Debate

The Marshall resolution is part of a broader debate across Minnesota about the balance between state mandates and local control. Several rural communities have expressed similar concerns about the state's refugee resettlement law, though Marshall is the first city in southwestern Minnesota to formally adopt a resolution opposing it.

The debate has also drawn in state legislators. State Senator Bill Weber (R-Luverne), whose district includes Marshall, said he supports the city's position.

"The state legislature passed a law that takes away local control and forces communities to accept refugee resettlement without any input," Weber said. "That's wrong. Local governments should have a say in decisions that affect their schools, their housing, and their public services. I'll be introducing legislation next session to give them that voice."

Governor Tim Walz's office did not respond to a request for comment on the Marshall resolution.

What Happens Next

The resolution is largely symbolic — it cannot override state law. But Mayor Byrnes said it sends an important message to state legislators.

"We're not going to break the law," Byrnes said. "We're going to comply. But we're also going to advocate for our community. We're going to tell the legislature that we need a seat at the table. We need resources. And we need the right to have a voice in decisions that affect the people who live here."

The resolution will be sent to Governor Walz, the Minnesota legislature, and the state's congressional delegation. Mayor Byrnes said he also plans to bring the issue to the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, a lobbying group representing rural communities.

"This isn't about refugees," Byrnes said. "This is about fairness. It's about giving communities a voice. And it's about making sure that when we welcome people, we have the resources to help them succeed. That's what Marshall wants. And I believe that's what the majority of Greater Minnesota wants, too."