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Federal troops on standby as Minnesota resists Trump's deportation push
Minnesota is on edge after reports that 1,500 U.S. troops may be deployed to the state amid intensifying protests against Donald Trump's immigration enforcement actions. Federal officials claim they are targeting high-risk individuals, but critics say detentions have swept up migrants without criminal records and even U.S. citizens.
Neighborhoods mobilize against ICE surveillance
In St. Paul and Minneapolis-collectively known as the Twin Cities-residents have organized daily patrols to monitor unmarked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicles. One volunteer, who asked to be called Sunshine for safety reasons, described the effort as a way to hold agents accountable.
"We have the legal right to drive on our own streets and observe them, but they seem to have forgotten that."
Sunshine, Minneapolis resident
Snow and subzero winds have not deterred these citizen patrols, which film ICE operations to document potential abuses. Sunshine recounted how agents attempted to divert her from a shopping center frequented by immigrants, circling blocks in what she called a "game" to waste her time and resources.
Clashes and court orders amid growing unrest
Protests outside Minneapolis's federal building have escalated, with authorities using tear gas and pepper balls to disperse crowds. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez restricted ICE's crowd-control tactics, banning arrests or pepper spray against peaceful demonstrators, including those monitoring agents.
Tensions spiked after two fatal shootings involving federal officers this month. On January 7, ICE agent fatally shot 37-year-old Renée Good during a disputed encounter. The Trump administration claims self-defense, while local officials argue Good posed no threat. The FBI is investigating, but Minnesota authorities say they've been denied access to evidence.
A second shooting occurred last week, when a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officer shot a Venezuelan migrant in the leg during an arrest attempt. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated the officer followed longstanding protocols after being attacked with a shovel, but the man's family disputed the account, telling the Washington Post he was shot in his doorway.
Political fallout and threats of military intervention
Trump's deportation campaign, launched in December after Somali immigrants were convicted in a welfare fraud scheme, has drawn fierce backlash in Democratic-led cities like Minneapolis. The city is the fifth major urban area targeted under the president's pledge to conduct the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
On Saturday, counter-protesters disrupted a far-right rally organized by Trump ally Jake Lang, who was pardoned for his role in the 2021 Capitol riot. Lang had threatened to burn a Quran outside City Hall, though it remains unclear if he followed through.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, facing re-election fallout from the fraud scandal, accused Trump of exploiting the crisis for political gain. Walz announced he would not seek another term, citing the administration's "weaponization" of the justice system after the DOJ launched a criminal probe into him and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for allegedly obstructing federal immigration operations.
Trump escalated rhetoric on social media, labeling protesters "traitors" and "highly paid professionals." In response, Sunshine dismissed the claim: "I'm definitely not being paid. I'm doing this because I love my neighbors and refuse to watch them be racially profiled."
Racial profiling allegations and renewed threats
Federal agents have faced accusations of racial profiling, which the Trump administration denies. Near a Mexican restaurant, another volunteer, Misko, recounted a harrowing encounter with ICE agents who blocked her car and brandished an assault rifle. DHS did not respond to requests for comment on the incident.
Despite the risks, Misko vowed to continue monitoring ICE. With Trump renewing threats to invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act-allowing military deployment for domestic law enforcement-Minneapolis appears locked in a deepening standoff with no clear resolution in sight.
