Minnesota State Wire

Michelle Fischbach, the representative for Minnesota's District 7, has expressed concerns over a recent judicial decision involving a noncitizen on probation. Fischbach said that the release highlights the critical need for increased cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to ensure community safety.

"I am so grateful to hear these teens are okay," said Fischbach. "Why would a judge allow this man, with no US identification and who was on felony probation, to be released on no bond?? Walz and his judges are working to protect criminals, not our communities. This is why it is so important for counties to work with ICE."

In April 2025, Wilber Ernesto Dubon, a noncitizen on felony probation, was involved in a fatal drunk driving crash in Minnesota after being released by a judge despite an active ICE detainer. According to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, state law prohibits holding individuals solely on immigration detainers unless backed by a judicial warrant, which limits local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This case has reignited public concern over judicial discretion and immigration enforcement.

Though Minnesota does not publish detailed statistics on undocumented defendants and bond decisions, national studies provide context. The American Immigration Council reports that undocumented immigrants are approximately half as likely to be incarcerated as native-born U.S. citizens, challenging assumptions about immigrant criminality. Nonetheless, high-profile cases in Minnesota have prompted calls for judicial policy reform.

Several Minnesota counties, including Sherburne, Freeborn, and Kandiyohi, maintain active contracts with ICE to detain immigration violators. As reported by MPR News, Sherburne County held more than 200 detainees in early 2025. This reflects local-level engagement in federal immigration enforcement even as broader state policies limit cooperation. These agreements illustrate a fragmented enforcement landscape across Minnesota.

Fischbach has consistently supported strong immigration enforcement measures since she began representing Minnesota’s 7th District in 2021. According to her official biography on Congress.gov, she has advocated for legislation enhancing federal-state cooperation on immigration and bolstering penalties for undocumented individuals involved in crimes. Her platform emphasizes border security and local public safety.