Minnesota is seeing heightened tensions due to ICE operations, community protests, and recent incidents involving federal agents.

Federal Immigration enforcement has become a major focus in Minnesota since 2025, following the launch of Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale deployment of ICE and U.S. Border Patrol agents into the Twin Cities metro area and surrounding communities. ICE Director Todd Lyons said agents were “surging to Minneapolis to root out fraud, arrest perpetrators, and remove criminal illegal aliens.”

An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people have been arrested, with the Department of Homeland Security calling it the “Largest immigration enforcement operation ever carried out.”

The operation faces much criticism and backlash, especially after federal agents killed two civilians: Renée Good and Alex Pretti, who were both U.S. citizens. Thousands in Minneapolis have protested ICE activity, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has challenged the operation. “But look, I think the thing we said is we’re very clear about this, that we need these folks out of Minnesota,” Walz said.

On January 23rd, 2026, statewide demonstrations to oppose ice operations and demand accountability and policy changes began. Organizers estimated that tens of thousands attended protests in freezing temperatures, and hundreds of businesses across Minnesota closed. “Seven hundred small businesses closed on the 23rd in solidarity with a general strike. Target stayed open,” Chris Gray said.

Many other protests have taken place and are expected to continue. “We’re not just fighting for the soul of Minnesota, we’re fighting for the soul of the rest of the country,” Kristie Kimball said.

Federal prosecutors have charged more than 150 anti-ICE protesters in Minnesota with crimes such as obstruction of federal agents and FACE Act violations. “We expect more arrests to come,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said.