Overview

On January 6, 2026, DHS deployed 2,000 federal agents to the Twin Cities metropolitan area — the largest immigration enforcement operation ever deployed to a single metro area.

Civilian Deaths

Two US citizens were killed by federal agents during the operation:

• Renee Good — killed January 7, 2026, shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross
• Alex Pretti — killed January 24, 2026, shot by CBP officers. Pretti was a VA intensive care nurse.

Mass Resistance

On January 23, 2026, an estimated 50,000-75,000 people marched through minus-20-degree weather in Minneapolis. Labor unions, faith leaders, and immigrant communities shut down the Twin Cities. Over 100 religious leaders were arrested in civil disobedience. Daily direct action continued for 6+ weeks.

Legal Response

• AG Keith Ellison filed federal lawsuit (January 31, 2026) against DHS/ICE, arguing the operation was unconstitutional under the 10th Amendment
• Minneapolis and St. Paul joined the suit
• Lawfare described it as “Minnesota’s compelling 10th Amendment case against Trump’s ICE surge”

Key Organizations

• MIRAC (Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee) — shifted to direct action, raised $750K+ for impacted families, lobbying for statewide 287(g) ban
• ICOM (Minnesota Interfaith Coalition on Immigration) — Accompanying Immigrants in Detention program
• ACLU-MN — won Freeborn County 287(g) injunction, litigation strategy
• UMN Graduate Labor Union, AFSCME Local 3800 — part of organizing coalition

Sources

• Wikipedia: Operation Metro Surge
• Britannica: 2025-26 Minnesota ICE Deployment
• Minnesota Reformer: Chronology of Operation Metro Surge
• Time: Minnesota resisting ICE works
• Human Rights Watch: State violence and community resistance in Minnesota
• Lawfare: Minnesota’s 10th Amendment case
• MN AG lawsuit announcement