Federal immigration officers are conducting widespread crackdowns in and around the Twin Cities, resulting in daily clashes with protesters and causing disruption to communities. The operation, dubbed “Metro Surge,” involves more than 2,000 officers and has sparked controversy, pitting city and state officials against the federal government.
Operation Metro Surge
Work begins around sunrise for many of the federal officers, with hundreds emerging from an office building near the main airport. Within minutes, unmarked convoys of SUVs, pickup trucks, and minivans begin patrolling the streets of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and their suburbs.
Protesters gather early to demonstrate against the increased enforcement, often standing across the street from a fenced-in federal compound housing an immigration court and government offices. They shout slogans such as “Go home!” and “ICE out!” as the convoys pass.
Confrontations often escalate after nightfall, with protesters shaking fences and occasionally damaging vehicles. Federal officers have responded by deploying tear gas and flash grenades, leading to arrests.
“We’re not going anywhere!” a protester shouted on a recent morning. “We’re here until you leave.”
The crackdown is unevenly felt across the region, with some areas, particularly wealthier and whiter neighborhoods, experiencing little to no visible activity. However, in immigrant communities, the presence of officers is frequent and often swift.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, described the operation as an “invasion,” noting the city’s police force of 600 officers is dwarfed by the number of federal agents deployed. “What we are seeing is thousands — plural, thousands — of federal agents coming into our city,” he said.
The surge has caused worry throughout the Twin Cities area, leading some children to skip school and families to avoid public gatherings. Businesses in immigrant neighborhoods have temporarily closed.
The Shadow of George Floyd
The current crackdown has drawn comparisons to the events following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis nearly six years ago. The shooting death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old American citizen, by an Immigration and Citizenship Enforcement officer on January 7, has further fueled tensions.
Federal officials claim the officer fired in self-defense after Good “weaponized” her vehicle. City and state officials dispute this account, citing bystander videos of the incident.
Residents are responding to the increased enforcement with community support, shoveling neighbors’ walks, providing food and water to protesters, and offering rides to those afraid to travel alone. A group called Open Market MN is assembling food packs for over a hundred families.
Some residents, like Christian Molina of Coon Rapids, have experienced direct encounters with immigration officers. Molina was followed by officers while driving to a mechanic and was eventually pulled over, resulting in a damaged vehicle and a clash with protesters.
The increased presence of federal agents has led to blocked intersections, helicopters overhead, and the constant sound of protesters’ whistles. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing confrontations and a heightened sense of anxiety throughout the Twin Cities.
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