Immigration Enforcement

Minneapolis businesses are estimated to have lost $10 to $20 million in sales each week of Operation Metro Surge, which began in December 2025.

The unprecedented federal incursion brought 1000s of immigration officers to MN over the objections of local Democratic leaders, and led to massive protests and two deaths.

Recent court decisions have given the Trump administration room to carry out its controversial actions, but legal experts point to ICE consistently ignoring release orders, drawing admonishment from judges.

The idea was an agreement that would allow ICE up to 48 hours to pick up undocumented individuals targeted for immigration enforcement to cooperate more fully with federal authorities.

The move leaves roughly 2,300 agents in the state as part of Operation Metro Surge, which began late last year.

U.S. District Court Judge Kate Menendez said the court could not grant a pause of the surge based on the arguments in the case.

The Rev. Leslie Moughty of First Congregational United Church of Christ participated in a protest in the Twin Cities against current immigration enforcement on Jan. 23, 2026.

About 80 students walked three blocks to the Crow Wing County Judicial Center in downtown Brainerd to line both sides of Laurel Street. Many carried anti-ICE signs and chanted together.

Criminal histories include a 2002 DWI conviction for one, and a 2010 underage drinking conviction for the other. Two others arrested without warrants are being held pending removal proceedings.

As federal district court judge Kate Menendez considers an order pausing Operation Metro Surge, federal attorneys argue the surge does not violate states' rights.