In early 2026, the city of Minneapolis, and the entire state of Minnesota, experienced one of the most tumultuous periods the city has ever been through, and the effects continue to be felt. With “Operation Metro Surge,” the Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security deployed Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents as early as December 2, 2025 with the intentions of investigating alleged cases of fraud associated with Minneapolis’ Somali community, as well as detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants. Deployment numbers later grew significantly in early January 2026. At the peak of the deployment, there were as many as 3,000 federal agents in Minnesota. Todd Lyons, the acting director ICE, has described the deployment as the “largest federal immigration enforcement operation ever.”

The presence of ICE and CBP agents has led to significant disruption and chaos in the community ever since their arrival, and sparked outrage from many Twin Cities residents who oppose their behavior. The common sentiment among residents speaking out is that the tactics being used by agents to detain immigrants and control protestors are inhumane and a direct violation of constitutional rights. Specific points of criticism include the detainment and deportation of children, violent detainment of immigrants, many of whom have legal status in the United States, the usage of physical force and “less-lethal” chemical munitions like tear gas against peaceful protestors, and the creation of a generally fearful and violent environment in the Twin Cities. The cases that have received the most national scrutiny are the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis at the hands of federal agents, and the deportation of five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. 

On top of their outrage at the aforementioned events, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) students and parents expressed serious concern after ICE agents showed up at dismissal time of Roosevelt High School on January 7th, 2026. Agents detained two staff members, tackled people on school grounds, and deployed tear gas at students close by. The events at Roosevelt, combined with the killing of Renee Good, prompted Minneapolis Public Schools to cancel school for the remainder of the week. On Friday, January 9th, a press conference was held at Lake Hiawatha Park to address what happened and discuss next steps for ensuring safety for vulnerable students. Many MPS students and parents were in attendance. The same day, MPS made the decision to provide an online learning option for students with safety concerns. The original end date was February 12, 2026, but it has since been extended to April 6, 2026.

Just a few hours before appearing at Roosevelt, an ICE agent shot and killed 37-year-old prize-winning poet and mother Renee Good. Videos of the shooting quickly circulated online. In one of the most widely viewed videos, Good is seen blocking a car driven by ICE agents. Agents exit the vehicle, surround Good’s car, and order her to step out of her vehicle. Good begins to turn away from the agents just before three gunshots are heard. The shooting occurred just four blocks from where George Floyd was murdered by a police officer five years prior.

The circumstances surrounding her death are controversial, with some politicians almost immediately justifying the shooting by portraying Good as a domestic terrorist. Kristi Noem, the United States Secretary of Homeland Security, stated that Good’s attempt to drive away was an “act of domestic terrorism” and that she “weaponized her vehicle.” Just hours after Good was killed, Donald Trump stated in a post on his social media platform Truth Social that Good was “very disorderly, obstructing and resisting, who then violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer.” At that time, investigations into the incident had barely begun, so there was close to no evidence available to back up many of their statements. In reality, available video evidence appeared to clearly disprove their claims. Jonathan Ross, the agent who shot Good, was only briefly investigated before efforts inexplicably became directed towards the victim herself. Officials have since stated that there is now “no basis” to investigate Ross. 

On Monday, January 24th, just a little over two weeks after Good was shot, the Minneapolis community endured another tragedy. Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse for the US Department of Veteran Affairs, was killed by CBP agents. Like Good, several video angles of his death quickly spread across social media. In the videos, you can clearly see Pretti, 37, peacefully recording ICE agents who were in the process of detaining a possibly undocumented immigrant. Filming ICE agents in public spaces is a right protected under the First Amendment. Pretti is intimidated back onto the sidewalk, shoved after stepping back into the street, and then wrestled to the ground by three agents. Within the next couple seconds, Pretti is completely surrounded by eight agents. Pretti is then struck repeatedly in the head before his legal handgun is removed from his person by an agent. At almost exactly the same time, another agent draws his weapon and fires four shots at Pretti. After backing away, agents fire another six shots. Throughout the entire video, there doesn’t appear to be a single point where Pretti could unquestionably be considered a legitimate threat.

In the aftermath, U.S. Border Control Commander Gregory Bovino claimed Pretti tried to “massacre law enforcement,” despite there being no evidence or indication that Pretti sought out to physically hurt an officer. Noem stated that Pretti “approached officers with a nine millimeter semi-automatic handgun.” While Pretti did have a loaded handgun on his person, it was never once visible or utilized. Pretti had a legal permit to carry the weapon, and Minnesota law allows loaded firearms to be brought to protests. 

Many are horrified at the brutality and violence of ICE, which became so clear with the recent killings. Renee Good and Alex Pretti are just two of the eight people throughout the country who were killed by ICE/CBP or died in detention centers in 2026 alone – thirty-two were killed or died in ICE custody last year. In 2026, Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, 42, Victor Manuel Diaz, 36, Parody La, 46, and Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz, 68, all died of medical emergencies while detained at a detention facility. Families criticized the inadequate medical care detainees receive in ICE custody.

Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, was a Cuban immigrant and father of four who was killed by staff at ICE facility Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas. While federal officials claimed staff was trying to save Lunas from an attempted suicide, autopsy reports said that the body showed signs of damaged vessels on the neck, which align with witness reports that Lunas was handcuffed and strangled into unconsciousness.

Right now, Southwest students and their families feel a sense of danger with the prevalence of ICE throughout their city. Eli Andrews (‘28) worries about not only herself, but her family’s safety. “I genuinely don’t know what to expect when I go anywhere with my family. If I’m going somewhere without someone white near me, I don’t feel safe in public. I’ve been carrying my passport everywhere I go. It’s kind of become the norm for me. I don’t even think about it anymore.” 

If you walk around the neighborhood near Southwest, it is common to see signs in windows and front yards reflecting the general sentiment of Minneapolis residents: Abolish ICE. Addy Babler (‘28) is one of many who want to see some major changes take place. “I think it’s a corrupt organization. While I understand the need for immigration enforcement, the way things are now is not working. ICE should be abolished. It can’t be reformed and another solution should be found.”

The response of Minnesota and specifically Twin Cities residents regarding the actions of ICE and CBP agents has been nothing short of extraordinary. For the past month, many Minnesotans have taken every opportunity to be on the streets, protesting what they see as the inhumane treatment of valued and beloved members of their communities. Southwest students are included in this group, having organized a walkout on January 20, 2026 (see the Navigator’s “Southwest students stand up (and walk out) against ICE” article for more info). In particular, the Minneapolis general strike on January 23, 2026 garnered national attention with hundreds of businesses closing down to protest ICE operations, and over 50,000 people marching downtown in sub-zero temperatures to protest. The resilient and united efforts of Minnesotans inspired people across the country, and a nationwide shutdown followed the example of the Minneapolis general strike on January 30, 2026.

To recognize Minneapolis for their nonviolent resistance and protection of immigrant communities, The Nation magazine has nominated the entire city of Minneapolis and all of its residents for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. In the statement from The Nation about the nomination, they said “Through countless acts of courage and solidarity, the people of Minneapolis have challenged the culture of fear, hate, and brutality that has gripped the United States and too many other countries. Their nonviolent resistance has captured the imagination of the nation and the world.” It is the first time that an entire city has ever been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. 

If you are a Southwest student and you or your family are in need of legal or financial help, resources are available. For more information, please check out the Navigator’s information hub by visiting: https://swhsnavigator.com/3512/news/what-you-need-to-know-as-minneapolis-schools-are-closed-for-the-rest-of-the-week/

The webpage has links to resources about your rights and legal resources that could be of use. 

Know Your Rights

This fact sheet from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota provides information on your rights when interacting with federal law enforcement: https://www.ilcm.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/02.24.25-Know-Your-Rights-KYR-FactSheet.pdf. You can find the same fact sheet in Spanish here: https://www.ilcm.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/02.24.25-Spanish-Translation-Know-your-Rights.pdf.

Fact sheet summary and other important information:

• You have the right to remain silent.
• Carry a know-your-rights card and show it if an immigration officer stops you.
• Do not open your door unless an ICE agent shows you a warrant signed by a judge with your correct name and address on it.
• You have the right to speak to a lawyer.
• Do not sign anything until you talk to a lawyer.
• Always carry with you any valid immigration documents you have.
• Remain as calm as possible and do not run away.
• If you witness ICE activity such as a raid or arrest: You have the right to take videos, photos, and written documentation.

• Your rights are strongest in public forums like streets, sidewalks, and in front of government buildings, as long as you are not blocking access or interfering with operations.
• When lawfully present in any public space, it is your right to photograph or record anything in plain view, including police.
• Police may not confiscate or demand to view photographs or video without a warrant, nor may they delete data under any circumstances.
• If you are stopped or detained by police:
  • Stay calm and keep your hands visible. Don’t argue, resist or obstruct police, even if you think they are violating your rights.
  • Ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, calmly walk away.
  • If you are under arrest, you have a right to ask why. Otherwise, say you wish to stay silent and ask for a lawyer immediately. Don’t say or sign anything without a lawyer.