Dec 2025 – Operation Metro Surge launches, deploying roughly 3,000 ICE agents to Minnesota and initiating a wave of immigration enforcement that later yields about 2,500 arrests and two deaths, signaling a major escalation in the Trump administration’s immigration agenda [2].

Jan 31, 2026 – U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez denies Minnesota’s emergency request for a temporary restraining order, allowing Operation Metro Surge to remain in place while the underlying constitutional claims await further briefing [2].

Jan 31, 2026 – The federal operation continues with approximately 3,000 agents on the ground and an estimated 2,500 arrests since its December launch, underscoring the scale of the enforcement effort [2].

Jan 31, 2026 – Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul file a lawsuit alleging that the surge violates the 10th Amendment’s anti‑commandeering doctrine and breaches local sanctuary policies, claiming it disrupts schools, hospitals and daily life [2].

Jan 31, 2026 – Judge Menendez notes that her order does not resolve the merits of the constitutional challenge, limiting the decision to the preliminary‑injunction standard and reserving a full ruling for later [2].

Jan 31, 2026 – Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey calls the ruling “disappointing,” describes the operation as an “invasion,” and vows to keep pursuing legal action against the federal presence [2].

Jan 31, 2026 – Governor Tim Walz posts on X that public opinion backs the state’s effort and pledges to press for investigations and removal of federal forces [2].

Jan 31, 2026 – DHS Secretary Kristi Noem tweets that the judge’s denial is a “win for public safety and law and order,” highlighting the administration’s support for the surge [2].

Feb 1, 2026 – Anti‑ICE protesters march coast‑to‑coast on the second day of a nationwide strike, demanding that ICE agents leave local communities and amplifying dissent against Operation Metro Surge [1].

Feb 1, 2026 – Judge Menendez again rejects an injunction request, acknowledging harms such as costly police overtime, falling school attendance, delayed emergency responses and small‑business hardship, but concludes that halting the operation would cause greater federal damage, so the surge proceeds while litigation continues [1].

Feb 1, 2026 – President Trump instructs DHS Secretary Kristi Noem not to intervene in Democratic‑led protests “under no circumstances” unless a local official formally asks for help, signaling a hands‑off stance toward the demonstrations [1].

Feb 1, 2026 – Minneapolis, St. Paul and the state sue over what they call a “federal invasion,” alleging warrantless arrests, racial profiling and excessive force targeting undocumented Somali immigrants, and claim the operation violates state rights [1].

Feb 1, 2026 – Memorial bike rides honor Alex Pretti, the second person killed by ICE agents, with more than 200 rides across 43 states, expanding national outrage over the enforcement actions [1].

Feb 1, 2026 – Former CNN anchor Don Lemon and journalist Georgia Fort are detained on charges linked to coverage of a church protest; Lemon declares “I will not be silenced,” raising press‑freedom concerns [1].

Feb 1, 2026 – Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announces a standard FBI‑led civil‑rights investigation into Pretti’s killing, emphasizing that it is “not a massive probe,” which underscores ongoing federal scrutiny of the operation [1].