The concerns about the deadly shootings of two people in Minneapolis this month, Renee Good and then Alex Pretti, prompted Mayor Johnson to call for new ways to respond besides demonstrations and protests.

“We have to seriously look at how local government can ultimately not just bring charges and investigation against the federal overreach, but how we can create a process that allows for prosecution of these individuals,” Johnson said.

The City Council committee meeting was a chance for leaders from the Twin Cities and Chicago to share valuable lessons learned about federal agents’ enforcement tactics and how to adapt.

“So, we’re seeing folks, instead of military garb, they’re wearing baseball caps, beanies, sunglasses, hoodies, puffy jackets, blue jeans, but to minimize their tactical gear because they are trying to blend in,” St. Paul Council Vice President Hwa Jeong Kim said.

Chicago-area advocates are preparing for a possible resurgence in immigration enforcement in March. They’re ready to adjust their response as needed.

“So I think, for us, it’s to stay focused, keeps our eyes on the prize, which means continuing to do, ‘know your rights,’ continuing to educate people on what to do if they see ICE, and then also connecting people to the resources that they need once they are impacted by the raids,” said Rey Wences, with Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

Mayor Johnson wants to see more organized resistance.

“As what we saw organized or prepared during the civil rights movement, that we cannot just simply leave it to protest, that just react to the egregious and the harmful and deadly actions coming from the Trump administration,” Johnson said.

Mayor Johnson is headed to Washington, D.C. Wednesday for the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting, where he expects there will be significant discussion about federal immigration enforcement. He says mayors need to find ways to be bold and innovative in their responses.