WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SF 5144

Transparency requirement regarding immigrant detention flights at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jen McEwen and 4 co-sponsors

The bill requires 24/7 public video and monthly reports on ICE Air detainee flights at MSP, detailing passenger counts and ages.

Referred to Transportation
#airportsandaircraft #government-federal #immigration
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SF 5144

Summary of SF 5144 (2025-2026) – Transparency Regarding Immigrant Detention Flights at MSP

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill aims to increase transparency and public accountability around flights chartered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that involve detained immigrants arriving at or departing from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).
  • It requires operational reporting and public-facing documentation of these flights, focusing on detainee counts and the handling of passengers during ICE Air transfers.

Key Provisions

Section: Immigrant Detention Flights (Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 473, new § 473.686)

  • Subdivision 1 – Definitions

    • Establishes terms critical to the section:
    • “Commission” = the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) for MSP.
    • “Detained individual” = any passenger traveling involuntarily or restrained beyond a standard seatbelt.
    • “ICE Air” = ICE Air Operations division responsible for transferring/removing undocumented immigrants on commercial or chartered flights.
    • “MSP” = Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
    • “Signature Aviation” = the operator of the Signature Aviation terminal at MSP.
    • “Signature Aviation terminal” = MSP terminal used for private international and business flights.

  • Subdivision 2 – Notice Requirement

    • Signature Aviation must notify MAC of every ICE Air charter flight that arrives at or departs from the Signature Aviation terminal.
    • Notification content must include: 1) Total number of detained individuals on the flight. 2) How many detained individuals are under 18 years old. 3) Scheduled arrival and departure times. 4) Flight origin and destination.

  • Subdivision 3 – Streaming Video

    • MAC must install, maintain, and operate a camera capable of 24/7 live streaming of footage covering loading and unloading of all ICE Air-chartered flights at the Signature Aviation terminal.
    • Live video must be publicly accessible via MAC’s website.
    • MAC staff must monitor each ICE Air charter flight at the terminal and record the number of passengers, including detained individuals, loaded/unloaded for inclusion in reporting.

  • Subdivision 4 – Monthly Report

    • By the 15th day of each month, MAC must deliver a report to chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over public safety and state government.
    • Report contents for each ICE Air charter flight must include: 1) Number of flights arriving at and departing from the Signature Aviation terminal, with origin and destination. 2) Number of detained individuals loaded or unloaded, including how many are under 18.

  • Effective Date

    • The act, if enacted, becomes effective the day after final enactment.

Who Is Affected

  • Signature Aviation (terminal operator at MSP) is required to provide notifications and facilitate the monitoring and video setup.
  • Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) is responsible for implementing notifications, live streaming, monitoring, data collection, and monthly reporting.
  • The Minnesota Legislature and state public safety/public government oversight committees receive regular updates.
  • ICE Air and its operations involving MSP detainee transfers are the primary subject of the reporting requirements.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Notification obligation begins upon enrollment of flights and ongoing thereafter for every ICE Air charter at the Signature Aviation terminal.
  • Live video streaming must be publicly accessible continuously (24/7).
  • Monthly reporting is due by the 15th of each month, detailing flight activity and detained passenger counts.
  • The bill’s effective date is the day after enactment.

Potential Impact

  • Increased transparency about ICE-operated detainee flights through publicly accessible livestreams and regular data reports.
  • Enhanced public accountability for detention transport practices at MSP.
  • Greater visibility into the use of private terminals for immigration detention-related flights.
  • Data could inform policy discussions or potential reforms related to immigration detention transport and airport operations.

Note: This summary reflects the bill text as introduced and does not account for any amendments that may be adopted during the legislative process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.