ICE in Minnesota – Days 51-56: Bovino Removed After Pretti Killing; Noise Demo Drives Out Agents; 'ICE Out' Day of Action in Twin Cities

Operation Metro Surge continues to weigh on Minneapolis, St. Paul and Minnesota as a whole. The federal government has increasingly targeted the state government and local leaders who have engaged in widespread and organized resistance to ICE’s campaign in the region.

Resistance has continued, and has been effective at reducing the efficacy of ICE & federal agents’ attempts to detain people and crush protests. Border Patrol “Commander” Greg Bovino decried organized protests as making ICE’s job harder, but by the evening of Jan. 26 found himself removed from command and silenced from his social media account after Border Patrol agents killed Alex Pretti on Jan. 24.

Vice President JD Vance visited the region (AP – Day 52). Locals are continuing to report ICE activity, monitor operations and protest against the federal occupation of the Twin Cities. A massive shutdown of regional businesses alongside a walkout last Friday (Day 53) finally pressured 60 major local corporations to make a statement.

A new “Rebel Loon” design inspired by the Star Wars Rebel Alliance has been shared among opponents of the ICE operation on social media and stenciled on movable shields – an online wizard lets visitors generate their own loons as well.

Below you will find briefs on agents’ activity, key developments and opposition in recent days.

January 26: Day 56

AG Ellison argues in court to end Operation Metro Surge – Keith Ellison appeared in court Monday at a hearing in the suit brought against the federal government by the state of Minnesota and the cities Minneapolis and St. Paul. U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez heard arguments from state and city attorneys seeking to block the “terrifying way” this federal operation has unfolded (ABC News). The lawsuit seeks a reduction in the number of federal immigration agents deployed to Minnesota with the goal of returning to the number of agents present before Operation Metro Surge was launched in December, AP reported. The Minnesota side highlighted the recent letter from the DOJ demanding policy and law changes in the state and linked this to the Tenth Amendment legal concept of the “anti-commandeering doctrine” limiting federal power.

Trump sending border czar Tom Homan to MN – In a Truth Social post, the president said he would send Homan, who will report directly to Trump, to the state following a call with Gov. Tim Walz. Late in the day it was reported (CBS / Fox) Greg Bovino is being removed from leading the federal operation in Minnesota following the killing of Alex Pretti in South Minneapolis on Saturday. There has been more criticism coming from conservatives (Mother Jones) and backpedaling messages from government officials via channels like Fox News and WSJ (emptywheel).

GOP candidate drops out of MN Governor race – Attorney Chris Madel dropped out of the campaign Monday saying that he can’t support, or be a member of, the Republican party that at the federal level has used ICE as a tool of retribution, according to the Pioneer Press. Though the right-wing candidate initially supported the stated goals of Operation Metro Surge, he said in a statement that he couldn’t abide by ICE’s activity in the state. Madel, a lawyer for the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association who formerly called the State Trooper who killed Ricky Cobb II during a traffic stop a “hero,” has been legally representing ICE agent Jonathan Ross, who killed Renee Good (NPR).

Noise demo at suburban hotel where Bovino staying draws another intra-agency response – A day after federal agents violently crashed a noise demo in Minneapolis, hundreds of police swarmed a noise demo targeting disgraced Border agent Greg Bovino. Several arrests were made by Maple Grove Police, State Troopers and county sheriffs.

January 25: Day 55

Federal agents crash noise demo – A noise demonstration at the Home2 Suites hotel in Minneapolis’ Prospect Park neighborhood on Jan. 25 was interrupted by federal agents, who filled the street with tear gas and threatened arrests while escorting masked people out the back. The noise demon was held under the belief from research that ICE agents were being housed at the hotel.

The protest lasted for three hours before three federal agents arrived, running up the sidewalk with no vehicle in sight. One agent with an unexplained bloody nose distracted a gaggle of press agents with a bizarre spectacle, shooting one pot-banging demonstrator with a less-than-lethal round, while other agents inside the hotel led a line of masked people carrying luggage through the back of the hotel.

Minnesota Timberwolves NBA team holds moment of silence for Alex Pretti before game – After pushing back Saturday’s basketball game to Sunday because of the killing of Alex Pretti, the Timberwolves held a moment of silence for Pretti before the game — one was also held for Renee Good when she was killed earlier in January. Pretti was killed by federal agents from the Customs and Border Patrol early Saturday morning. Pitched street battles occurred for several hours just a mile south of the Target Center, where the team plays. The Wolves played the rescheduled game as if the federal occupation is deep on their minds and they lost by 26 points. After the game, the team’s star Anthony Edwards said, “I just love Minnesota … I’m behind whatever they with.”

An opposing player for Golden State, Steph Curry, said of being in Minneapolis during Friday’s day of action, “I got videos on my phone of it all the way down … Was like three straight hours, negative 10 degree weather. It was beautiful to see that turn out that speaks to how important you know, people felt to have their voice heard, and those elements and whatever streets right outside our hotel, they were they were out, and it was amazing to watch.”

National Guards are stationed at Whipple Federal Building – Providing additional support on request of Hennepin County Sheriff Dewanna Witt, National Guard troops are stationed at the Whipple Federal Building, the headquarters of ICE’s Operation Metro Surge and a detention facility for the mass expulsion of people without proper paperwork. Guard members are wearing hi-vis vests on top of their camo uniforms. The Guard gave donuts to protesters. The Guard also left from their assignment in Minneapolis after a night of vigil activity for Alex Pretti.

Community resists federal raid on City View apartment in Minneapolis – A large amount of community members responded to a federal raid on an apartment complex in north Minneapolis.

January 24: Day 54

Federal agents kill Alex Pretti – Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Petti, a community member and observer, while he attempted to help a woman agents had shoved to the ground. As Pretti worked to block federal agents from continuing to assault the woman who was pushed to the ground and an agent pepper sprayed Petti before dragging him away from the woman. Agents then piled on to Pretti, beating him. An agent is seen in video drawing his gun during the brawl and shooting Pretti in the back. Pretti was shot at least five times and died on the scene.

Community responds to Pretti’s killing – After the shooting, hundreds gathered in the street. A crowd formed in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, which quickly led to chaos as agents deployed chemical weapons without warning. Streets were barricaded and businesses along the stretch of Nicollet Avenue opened their doors to protesters to take shelter from tear gas. In the aftermath, people erected barricades and started fires as they occupied the area where Pretty was killed.

Department of Homeland Security quickly lies about Pretti’s killing – About three hours after Pretti’s killing, the agency released a statement on social media claiming Pretti was “violent” and approached agents brandishing a weapon, intent on killing law enforcement officers. The statement said the agent shot out of self defense. Video footage and analysis, alongside sworn witness testimony from multiple sources, contradict the department’s version of events, showing that Pretti was unarmed and thoroughly subdued before the agent or agents opened fire. Pretti was face down, surrounded by agents when they shot him to death.

Vigil for Pretti held in Whittier neighborhood – Saturday evening thousands gathered near the site of the killing in memory of Pretti and defiance against ICE. Speakers addressed the crowd as the sun set, demanding justice not only for Pretti but Renee Good and all others harmed during ICE’s occupation of Minnesota.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension files legal challenge to prevent destruction of evidence in Pretti killing – The BCA filed suit Saturday against the DHS, HSI, Border Patrol and other federal agencies to gain access to the site of Pretti’s killing and prevent the destruction of evidence in hopes of investigating the shooting, according to Law Dork. State investigators were initially denied access to the site, in a fashion similar to how federal agencies prevented state agencies from investigating Renee Good’s killing. A judge ordered a temporary restraining order against the federal agencies named, barring them from destroying or altering evidence.

January 23: Day 53

Tens of Thousands Demand ‘ICE Out of Minnesota’ During Day of Action

Hundreds of businesses close doors for ICE out of MN Day – Protests took place around the city as many participated in a general strike Friday, halting economic activity, demanding an end to the agency’s violent operations in the Twin Cities and beyond. More than 700 businesses throughout the Twin Cities shut down for the day as part of a widespread economic protest against ICE. Shop owners joined to show solidarity with and participate in the mass action against ICE. The massive crowd gathered in frigid temperatures Friday to rally against ICE and demand the agency leave the state.

Thousands rally at Target Center against ICE – the stadium filled up as protesters marched from downtown Minneapolis to the arena, marking a massive show of support for the cause. Live music ushered in rally-goers, followed by speakers who honored people captured and killed by ICE in Minnesota. “When we stay united, and when we keep our eyes and our arms wrapped around one another instead of keeping our hearts in fear, then history will record our moment, not just as a time of crisis, but as a turning point,” President of the Service Employees International Union, April Verrett, said while closing out the rally.

Around 100 clergy members arrested protesting ICE at airport – With extreme subzero temperatures where the high reached only -11°F, clergy and faith leaders demanding “ICE out” led a mass protest at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport and participated in acts of civil disobedience by praying on the road. Bloomington Police arrested the clergy in a process that lasted more than an hour. While the arrests were taking place, police in riot gear entered the terminal and closed it down, forcing people to leave the area.

Protesters rally, stage blockade outside Whipple Federal Building – A crowd gathered Friday morning to disrupt federal activity at the Whipple building, where much of ICE’s activity in the region has been based out of. Protesters gathered with shields on Minnehaha Avenue for about three hours before deputies from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office threatened to deploy chemical weapons. Near the entrance, protesters gathered chunks of snow and ice and threw them at vehicles driven by federal agents.

Two of three arrested activists released from federal custody – Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Allen were released from Sherburne County Jail on Friday after a judge upheld Thursday’s ruling for their release. On Friday, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota Patrick Schiltz — a George W. Bush appointee — submitted a letter to Judge Steven Colloton, the Chief Judge of the 8th District Court of Appeals calling the government’s efforts to arrest the other five protesters as “frivolous” and specifying some of the “unprecedented” asks the U.S. Attorney was making.

January 22: Day 52

Small business owners call on congress to push ICE Out of Minneapolis – Small business owners announced their stores and restaurants will close on Friday, January 23, during ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth & Freedom. Labor unions, students, teachers, and immigrant rights activists urged residents to skip work, school, and shopping. “It doesn’t matter if you are doing everything right, and by the book, you could still be detained, still be deported.” Business owners have called on Congress to help end ICE’s presence, which has been a drag on the restaurant industry among many others. “We need Congress to step in and get ice out of Minnesota,” said Lindsey Johnston, owner of Francis Burger Joint.

Lindsey Johnston, owner of Francis Burger Joint – Photo contributed by Clint Combs.

Three activists arrested after protesting at ICE pastor’s church – Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong and one other unnamed person were arrested Thursday for their involvement in Sunday’s (Day 55) anti-ICE protest at a local church. Shortly after the arrests, the White House posted a fake and AI-manipulated image of Levy Armstrong crying as she stood handcuffed next to federal agents. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest on social media shortly before Vice President JD Vance arrived for a visit to the Twin Cities. That day, a group of activists, accompanied by journalists who reported on the disruption, confronted the clergy and congregation at Cities Church on Summit Ave. where David Easterwood is a pastor. Easterwood is also the acting director of ICE ERO’s St. Paul Field Office. “This was brought from Washington, D.C.. by the people at the top of the government solely for political reasons. This case is being handled by prosecutors that they brought in from Washington, D.C.. because it’s a political case,” said Levy Armstrong’s lawyer Jordan Kushner on Thursday at the federal courthouse in Saint Paul.

ICE detains five-year-old boy in Minneapolis – Agents stopped and took Liam Ramos, a 5-year-old, into custody as he returned home from school Tuesday, as reported by The Guardian. Liam was taken along with his father in the driveway of their home and swiftly transported to Texas. Liam is the fourth child in the Columbia Heights school district to be detained, the district told The Guardian. A protest broke out on Sat., Jan. 24 (Day 54) at a Dilley, south Texas family detention facility where Ramos was reportedly detained (Houston Public Media). The facility is privately run by CoreCivic.

January 21: Day 51

Bovino gasses protesters – Footage published by the Star Tribune shows the Border Patrol chief deploying green smoke canisters against community members who confronted ICE in a neighborhood in Uptown.

Vice President to visit Twin Cities — JD Vance traveled to the region to have a “roundtable discussion” with local and state officials, NBC reported.

Community reports of ICE vehicles spotted at Lakeville hotel — In a example of the now-common public practice of monitoring gatherings of ICE agents, users on the crowdsourced ICE reporting platform IceOut reported numerous ICE vehicles parked outside the Candlewood Suites hotel in Lakeville, MN overnight. Hotels throughout the metro region and beyond have housed out-of-town ICE agents, and some have been targeted for protests.

Pentagon puts more active duty troops on standby for deployment to MN — Troops with an Army military police brigade stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina received a prepare-to-deploy order on Tuesday (Day 50), sources told MS NOW. The order put several hundred troops on notice days after Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in the state to quell ongoing protests against ICE. The previous Friday (Jan. 16 – Day 46), the administration told soldiers with the 11th Airborne Division stationed in Alaska and specializing in winter warfare, to be prepared to deploy to Minnesota.

CBP Commander Greg Bovino says organized protests make ICE’s job harder — The agency chief derided “well-organized” protesters for making immigration enforcement harder during a press conference on Jan. 20 (Day 50), as reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune. Bovino said the response seen in the Twin Cities was more coordinated than that in other areas and blamed collusion between local and state officials and “anarchists” for what he called countless instances of violence against Border Patrol agents.