Minneapolis Residents Force Partial ICE Withdrawal After Weeks of Protest
The city of Minneapolis saw a significant shift in federal immigration enforcement this week, as authorities announced the conclusion of “Operation Metro Surge,” a large-scale ICE operation that sparked weeks of sustained protest and resistance from residents. While federal officials framed the end of the operation as a success—claiming it had made the state “less of a sanctuary for criminals”—community leaders and elected officials attribute the outcome to the relentless pressure exerted by Minneapolis residents.
The announcement came just days after 1,600 Minnesotans gathered at Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis, singing in defiance of the federal presence. The operation, which began in December 2025, deployed around 3,000 federal agents—a force exceeding the combined number of Minneapolis and Saint Paul police officers—making it the largest immigration enforcement operation ever conducted in the area, according to federal officials.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey hailed the outcome as a victory for the city’s residents. “They thought they could break us, but a love for our neighbors and a resolve to endure can outlast an occupation,” Frey said. “These patriots of Minneapolis are showing that it’s not just about resistance—standing with our neighbors is deeply American.” He emphasized that the credit for ending the operation belonged to the city’s 435,000 residents.
The resistance took many forms, including a 50,000-person march in subzero temperatures, coordinated business closures estimated to have cost $81 million, and the arrest of over 100 religious leaders. Legal challenges also exposed what protestors claimed were systematic constitutional violations.
However, the operation’s impact extended beyond arrests and legal battles. The deaths of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, and Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, at the hands of ICE agents fueled the protests and intensified calls for accountability. The economic impact was also substantial, with workers and customers reportedly afraid to venture out, impacting local businesses.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz acknowledged the damage caused by the federal operation, stating, “The long road to recovery starts now.”
Despite the withdrawal of a significant portion of the force—border czar Tom Homan stated that 1,000 agents have left the state, with a “small force” remaining—concerns remain about potential future actions. President Trump and Republicans in Congress are reportedly considering additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security, raising fears that similar operations could be launched in other cities.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison called for transparency and justice in the wake of the operation. “Operation Metro Surge is ending because Minnesotans fought back,” Ellison said. “We still deserve transparency, and Renee Good and Alex Pretti deserve justice. I will continue to demand independent investigations into their deaths and every excessive use of force by federal agents.”
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minneapolis, echoed those calls, describing the operation as “militarized racial terror” deliberately targeting the Somali community. She called for a more comprehensive response, including impeachment proceedings against the DHS secretary and the abolition of ICE altogether. Omar is supporting House Resolution 996, which seeks to impeach the DHS secretary, and as of this week, the resolution has garnered support from 187 members of the House.
“I won’t rest until we can ensure this abuse of power and terror can never happen again,” Omar said. “There must be justice and accountability. This administration must fully cooperate with independent investigations into the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Congress must withhold funding for unlawful actions and ensure federal dollars never bankroll civil-rights violations.”
The situation in Minneapolis serves as a potential model for other cities facing similar federal enforcement efforts, including Madison and Milwaukee. The sustained resistance of Minneapolis residents demonstrated the power of community organizing and the potential to challenge federal overreach, but also highlighted the need for continued vigilance and accountability.
