Minneapolis Mayor Warns 300-400 ICE Agents Could Spark New Invasion 6 Months After Pullback
Updated
Updated · EL PAÍS USA · Jun 13
Minneapolis Mayor Warns 300-400 ICE Agents Could Spark New Invasion 6 Months After Pullback
3 articles · Updated · EL PAÍS USA · Jun 13
Summary
Six months after ICE and Border Patrol withdrew from Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey said the danger of another federal "invasion" remains, even though he estimates 300 to 400 agents are still in the city.
3,000 to 4,000 agents were sent to Minnesota in December 2025 under Operation Metro Surge, and Frey says mass protests, local organizing and political blowback forced the Trump administration to retreat.
Two deaths — Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti — and the shooting of Julio César Sosa-Celis still shape Frey's refusal to declare victory, even as he says Minneapolis is "coming back."
Frey also says the administration tried to trade its departure for Minnesota voter-registration records after Pretti's killing and is still weaponizing federal investigations against him and other elected officials.
The episode has turned Frey into a national Democratic reference point on resisting immigration crackdowns, while he argues Minneapolis's response showed community solidarity can blunt federal pressure.
How has the shift to 'under the radar' tactics changed immigration enforcement nationwide since the Minneapolis crisis?
What does Minneapolis's lawsuit mean for holding federal agents accountable for actions taken within city limits?
Minneapolis Under Siege: Inside the 2026 Operation Metro Surge, Mass Arrests, and the Fight for Civil Rights
Overview
In June 2026, Minneapolis faces a tense and rapidly changing situation as federal immigration agents launch a massive enforcement campaign, leading to significant legal actions and community unrest. The city responds to renewed federal enforcement with both official and grassroots resistance, as local leaders and activists push back against aggressive tactics and widespread arrests. This standoff results in charges against individuals accused of impeding federal agents, while also exposing deep divisions between federal authorities and the local community. The ongoing conflict highlights the challenges of balancing law enforcement with civil rights and community trust in Minneapolis.