Mayor TenHaken distances Sioux Falls police from state ICE program

Gov. Rhoden's Operation: Prairie Thunder brings 'misinformation train' over city of Sioux Falls' role in public safety initiative, mayor says

Mayor Paul TenHaken is pushing back on claims that the city is aiding in federal immigration enforcement under a new state-led public safety initiative.

In a lengthy social media post Wednesday, the Sioux Falls mayor sought to “correct much misinformation” surrounding Operation: Prairie Thunder, a recently launched effort by Gov. Larry Rhoden’s administration to crack down on crime and illegal immigration in eastern South Dakota.

“There are two elements to this initiative,” TenHaken wrote. “The second initiative the governor announced involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and deportation assistance is a state-led initiative … Neither my office nor the City of Sioux Falls had or has anything to do with this part of the effort.”

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