A Series of Events Involving Federal Immigration Enforcement Operations in Minnesota

Centered in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, a series of events led to multiple fatalities, widespread protests, legal challenges, and a federal-state conflict over funding and oversight. The situation began in December 2025 with the launch of "Operation Metro Surge" and escalated significantly in January 2026 after shootings involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel.

Operation Background and Deployment

In early December 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched "Operation Metro Surge," a large-scale immigration enforcement operation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. DHS described this as its largest operation to date, deploying approximately 3,000 federal agents from ICE, CBP, and other agencies.

Fatal Incidents and Conflicting Accounts

Death of Renee Good

On January 7, 2026, Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by ICE Agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis. According to federal officials, Good was impeding a law enforcement operation and attempted to run over an agent with her vehicle. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem characterized the incident as an "act of domestic terrorism" and stated the agent acted in self-defense.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz disputed this account after reviewing video footage. Local officials stated Good was a legal observer and was attempting to leave the scene.

The FBI is investigating the incident. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) was initially involved but later withdrew, reporting it was denied access to case materials.

Death of Alex Pretti

On January 24, 2026, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by Border Patrol agents Jesus Ochoa (43) and CBP Officer Raymundo Gutierrez (35) in Minneapolis. DHS officials stated Pretti "brandished" a weapon and "violently resisted" officers. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller referred to Pretti as a "would-be assassin."

Multiple bystander videos showed Pretti holding a phone before being tackled by agents. Video evidence indicates agents removed a handgun from Pretti's waistband before another officer fired. State and local officials confirmed Pretti held a valid permit to carry a firearm under Minnesota law.

On January 25, the Justice Department announced a civil rights investigation into Pretti's death. A preliminary assessment by CBP indicated agents stated Pretti resisted arrest before two officers fired their weapons, without mentioning an attack or weapon threat.

Shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celia

On January 28, 2026, ICE agents shot Julio Cesar Sosa-Celia, a Venezuelan national, in the leg in Minneapolis. DHS reported agents were pursuing him for being in the country illegally. The agency stated Sosa-Celia and two others attacked officers with a shovel and broom handle. Local officials reported the man sustained non-fatal injuries, and an ICE officer also received treatment. Initial assault charges against Sosa-Celia were later dropped.

Conflict Between Federal and Local Officials

Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey publicly criticized the federal deployment. Walz described ICE agents as a "modern-day Gestapo" and urged residents to document agent activities. Both officials called for ICE to leave the state.

The Justice Department initiated an investigation into Walz and Frey under 18 U.S.C. § 372, which criminalizes conspiracies to prevent federal officers from performing duties. A grand jury subpoena was issued to both officials.

Legal Developments

Lawsuits Filed

The State of Minnesota, along with Minneapolis and St. Paul, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in federal court, seeking to halt the immigration enforcement operations. The lawsuit alleged DHS was infringing upon First Amendment protections and other constitutional rights.

Court Rulings

• On January 30, U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez ruled that federal agents could not detain or use chemical irritants against peaceful protesters who were not obstructing federal law enforcement. The ruling prohibited arresting individuals without probable cause or reasonable suspicion.

• On February 2, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily suspended the restrictions while the administration pursued an appeal.

• On February 15, a federal judge denied a preliminary injunction to halt the enforcement operation, stating the plaintiffs' 10th Amendment argument was unlikely to succeed. The judge noted evidence supporting both sides' arguments.

Evidence Disputes

State investigators reported being blocked from evidence related to all three shootings, including Pretti's cell phone, Good's vehicle, and personnel records of involved officers. A federal judge ordered federal agencies to produce evidence related to Good's death within three weeks, though this evidence will not be made public.

Public Response

Protests and Demonstrations

Following Good's death, nationwide protests occurred, with organizers reporting at least 1,000 events across the United States. In Minneapolis, a protest on January 10 attracted an estimated 30,000 participants in sub-zero temperatures. The "ICE Out for Good Weekend of Action" was coordinated by groups including Indivisible.

After Pretti's death, additional protests and a general strike occurred on January 30, with organizers reporting participation from thousands of individuals. Counter-protests were also organized.

Economic Blackouts

A "no work, no school, no shopping" economic protest was called for January 23 in Minnesota. Hundreds of businesses closed, and a march occurred in downtown Minneapolis. A second general strike and protest occurred on January 30.

General Strikes

A nationwide general strike was called for February 1, 2026, with organizers encouraging a cessation of work, school, and shopping. A local union's involvement was noted.

"Operation Metro Surge" Arrests and Deportation Data

DHS reported over 4,000 arrests in Minnesota since early December 2025, with over 2,400 individuals arrested in recent weeks. DHS stated that 70% of arrested individuals had criminal charges or convictions. The University of California Berkeley's Deportation Data Project indicated that in the first nine months of President Trump's second term, approximately 75,000 individuals arrested by ICE had no criminal record, constituting over one-third of all ICE arrests.

Federal-State Dispute over DHS Funding

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) experienced a partial shutdown starting February 14, 2026, due to a funding dispute between the White House and Congress.

Shutdown Details

The funding lapse was the longest in U.S. history. Approximately 90% of DHS employees continued working without pay. Over 1,000 TSA officers resigned, causing airport delays. ICE operations continued using funds from a separate tax and spending bill that provided $75 billion.

Legislative Negotiations

Democrats demanded new restrictions on ICE and CBP, including:

• An enforceable code of conduct.
• Officers to show identification.
• An end to "roving patrols" and coordination with local law enforcement.
• Tighter rules for warrants.
• Agents to operate with "masks off, body cameras on."

Republicans proposed a two-track approach: funding most of DHS without ICE under a regular process, then funding ICE via reconciliation.

Budget Resolution and Bill Passage

• On March 10, Senate Republicans released a budget resolution to fund ICE and CBP for 3.5 years, using reconciliation.
• On April 1, the House passed a bill to fund most of DHS (excluding ICE and CBP) by voice vote, ending the 75-day shutdown. President Trump signed the bill on April 3.
• On May 5, the House passed a $70 billion bill to fund ICE ($38 billion), the Border Patrol ($26 billion), and for unforeseen costs ($5 billion) for three years. The vote was 214-212. President Trump signed the bill, and the DHS funding impasse was fully resolved.

DHS Leadership Change

In March 2026, Secretary Kristi Noem was replaced by Markwayne Mullin as DHS Secretary.