Massive ICE Deployment and Arrests The federal government dispatched more than 2,000 ICE officers to Minnesota, recording over 2,000 arrests in what officials label the state’s largest enforcement surge [4]. State and city leaders responded by filing a federal lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order to halt or limit the operation [4][5]. ICE officials describe the effort as “Operation Metro Surge,” emphasizing its scale despite local objections [4]. The lawsuit argues the surge is arbitrary, capricious, and exceeds ICE’s statutory authority [4].

Renee Good Shooting Triggers Protests and Video Release On Jan. 7, 37‑year‑old Renee Good was fatally shot by ICE agents during a vehicle stop in Minneapolis, igniting citywide protests [3][4]. A by‑stander video posted by DHS on X shows officers approaching the scene on a snowy street, providing visual context for the controversy [4]. Demonstrators demand accountability, while officials cite the incident as evidence of excessive force and intimidation [3]. The shooting has become a focal point in the national debate over immigration enforcement tactics [3].

State and Local Officials File Lawsuit Claiming Unconstitutionality Attorney General Keith Ellison, joined by Mayors Jacob Frey and Kaohly Her, sued the federal government, arguing the surge violates constitutional protections and targets a state with only 1.5 % immigrant population [5][3]. The complaint labels the operation “arbitrary and capricious” and seeks a temporary restraining order to stop further arrests [5]. Governors and Democratic leaders have condemned the crackdown as unconstitutional and politically motivated [3]. The lawsuit underscores Minnesota’s strategy of using the courts to curb federal immigration actions [5].

Former ICE Director Calls for De‑Escalation, Highlights Historical Practices John Sandweg, former acting ICE director, criticized the Minnesota operation as inconsistent with historic ICE tactics that focused on data‑driven targeting of criminal offenders [1]. He argued that past enforcement avoided public confrontations and that current overt actions risk both officers and civilians [1]. Sandweg urged a balanced approach that maintains “bad‑guy” enforcement while stepping back from sensationalized operations [1]. His comments frame the current surge as a departure from the agency’s traditional, criminal‑justice‑oriented mandate [1].

Mayor Frey Defies ICE, Faces National Spotlight; Trump Issues Threats Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly told ICE agents to leave the city and filed a lawsuit alleging warrantless arrests and excessive force [2]. A CNN poll cited in the coverage shows a majority of Americans view ICE actions as unsafe and disapprove of the use of force in Good’s death [2]. In response, the Trump administration announced plans to deploy additional agents to Minnesota and threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act if local leaders do not cooperate [2][3]. Frey emphasized his commitment to governing Minneapolis despite the heightened political pressure [2].