ICE Sparks Nationwide Outrage Over Actions in Minneapolis
Since December of 2025, Minneapolis has been the target of a massive federal immigration crackdown. As of now, there are thousands of agents from multiple different agencies under the Department of Homeland Security in the Minneapolis area who are participating in what is being described as one of the largest immigration crackdowns in US history. These agencies include Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs Border Protection (CBP), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The operation is known as Operation Metro Surge and was originally targeting Somali immigrants following welfare fraud convictions.
In the past two months, around 3,000 people have been arrested, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon and Emmy Award-winning journalist Georgia Fort. In the midst of these arrests, two people have been killed in the streets. Renee Good, a poet and mother of three, was shot and killed by ICE agents after an altercation involving her car on January 7, and Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse, was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents on January 24 when they thought he was reaching for his gun. A recent poll of Minnesota voters determined that 61% of voters believe the shooting of Renee Good was unjustified, while 27% believe it was justified. Another poll determined that 65% of voters believe the shooting of Alex Pretti was unjustified, while 16% believe it was justified.
Recently, the country has witnessed a variety of responses to ICE. Across the nation, large peaceful protests have been held in various forms. Students have formed walkouts; people have participated in strikes; and cities have held large peaceful gatherings to show the community’s dissent for ICE and its recent actions. Other responses have taken a more direct approach, forming watchdog groups with ICE warning systems. These groups alert their communities by using whistles and car horns to signal the arrival of ICE or following ICE agents around during the day. Additionally, members of these groups have helped members of the immigrant community by delivering groceries and driving people to work. Some responses have not been as peaceful as others. A few gatherings have resulted in protesters throwing objects at agents and vehicles, doxing agents, blocking vehicles and sidewalks, vandalizing hotels where federal agents are reported to be staying, and assaulting them. This is an ongoing situation that will continue to develop in the coming days.
