Ramsey County offers temporary property tax relief to help people affected by Operation Metro Surge

Saint Paul (Tuesday, March 10, 2026) – Ramsey County is offering temporary tax relief to help many residents impacted by the federal government’s aggressive immigration enforcement campaign known as Operation Metro Surge. It’s one of many steps the county has taken since the operation began this winter.  

When county commissioners voted on Feb. 3 to condemn the tactics used by federal agents, they also directed County Manager Ling Becker to establish a structured and coordinated response to federal immigration enforcement. Since then, Becker has mobilized county staff to coordinate an array of initiatives to help people in the county impacted by the federal actions.  

“While Operation Metro Surge may be winding down, its impacts have not,” Becker said. “Our most vulnerable residents continue to feel the greatest impact. With direction from the county board, we’ve taken a range of actions to support residents and businesses during this difficult time, and we remain committed to doing what we can to help our community recover.” 

Temporary property tax relief  

Metro Surge contributed to financial hardships by disrupting work and decreasing local business revenue. To address this strain, the county is implementing a temporary two-month property tax payment extension for first half 2026 property tax payments. Eligible property owners can pay their property taxes up to two months past the typical deadline without facing late payment penalties.  

More information is available on the county’s property tax resources webpage.  

Addressing health concerns 

Along with disrupting families, fears of federal agents have heighted anxiety in communities. Parents have withdrawn children from schools and have decreased public activities. The isolation has put people at an increased risk of depression, which is compounded when the affected people are less likely to leave home to seek care.  

Ramsey County already has mental health and crisis service that’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, the county is allocating $75,000 to the Ramsey County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative. This one-time funding will help strengthen access to mental health and basic needs supports during a time of increased referrals, prolonged service waitlists and heightened community stress.  

Other actions 

• The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, working with local law enforcement, posted online guidance for residents who are witnesses to or victims of criminal conduct by federal law enforcement agents.  

• Clear protocols are in place for county employees who may need to interact with immigration enforcement agents at county owned or leased sites. Also, a new training was created to help employees understand how to navigate an encounter with immigration enforcement officials while working in the field 

• A Connect to Services webpage that can be translated into multiple languages is now online to help residents connect with services and resources, such as food and emergency assistance programs. Printed information, also in multiple languages, was distributed through county programs, local food shelves, the city of Saint Paul (libraries and parks), and Saint Paul Public Schools. 

• Signage has been posted at parks and county facilities clarifying that staging or operations are not permitted without authorization. “Employee only” signage designates non-public areas that cannot be accessed without a valid judicial warrant. 

• The county expanded support to employees through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), hosted sessions on stress management and psychological safety and launched a new EAP mobile app. Additional expanded supports are in the works. 

Watch the presentation to commissioners at March 10 board meeting.  

# # #