Ongoing Enforcement and Community Resistance Persist Despite Official Closure of Operation Metro Surge

Despite the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) official announcement that Operation Metro Surge has concluded after ten weeks, recent developments reveal that enforcement actions remain active—and in some cases, have intensified. Behind the official statements, ICE continues covert operations, and disputes over detention practices, oversight, and community rights are escalating. This ongoing struggle underscores a resilient resistance movement within Minnesota that challenges federal overreach and advocates for transparency, accountability, and community safety.

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Covert Enforcement Activities Continue and Expand

Although federal authorities declared the end of Operation Metro Surge, credible reports and investigative journalism indicate that ICE enforcement persists and, in some areas, has expanded:

• Expansion into Suburban and Rural Communities: Since the official conclusion, ICE raids have extended beyond Minneapolis into neighboring suburbs such as Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights, and rural regions. Residents report increased enforcement actions aimed at broadening ICE’s reach, fueling fears of a widespread crackdown in communities previously considered less targeted.

• Deceptive Tactics and Covert Operations: Community sources describe encounters with ICE agents employing fake vehicle breakdowns, staged traffic stops, and bait-and-switch tactics. For example, a father en route to Texas was targeted during a staged traffic stop, resulting in his arrest. Civil rights advocates condemn these tactics as violations of civil liberties, further eroding trust and deepening community mistrust of enforcement agencies.

• Increased Surveillance and Visible Presence: Visual evidence and community testimonies confirm a rise in ICE activity in suburban neighborhoods, signaling a strategic shift to escalate enforcement efforts outside city centers. This surge complicates oversight, contributes to pervasive surveillance, and fosters heightened community anxiety and feelings of being watched.

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Disputes Over ICE Access to Local Jails and Jurisdictional Resistance

A central point of contention remains federal attempts to gain access to local detention facilities, which could significantly expand ICE’s detention and deportation capacity:

• Hennepin County’s Firm Resistance: Sheriff Dawanna Witt has publicly reaffirmed her department’s refusal to enter into new detention agreements with ICE, emphasizing her commitment to protecting community trust and local jurisdictional authority. “We are not facilitating any new detention agreements with ICE,” she stated, signaling an unequivocal stand against federal pressure.

• Federal Negotiations and Community Skepticism: Despite such resistance, federal officials continue negotiations to expand ICE’s access to detention centers across Minnesota, including counties beyond Hennepin. Civil rights groups and community organizations remain highly skeptical, fearing that increased detention access would lead to more arrests, deportations, and reduced transparency.

• Community and County Pushback: Recent developments include Hennepin County officials challenging federal claims that their jails are used as detention shields. County officials accused federal agencies of “cooking” or misrepresenting jail data, asserting that local facilities are not facilitating widespread ICE detention programs. This dispute highlights jurisdictional conflicts and community concerns regarding data accuracy and detention practices. Advocates continue to call for full disclosure of any agreements and urge local governments to prioritize civil rights and community safety over federal enforcement expansion.

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Internal Agency Controversies and Escalating Accountability Concerns

Tensions within federal enforcement agencies have intensified, raising urgent questions about oversight and misconduct:

• Leadership Changes Post-Pretti Shooting: Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino was removed amidst disagreements over enforcement tactics and conduct, particularly following the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti. Bovino’s departure reflects growing community outrage and demands for accountability.

• The Alex Pretti Case: Pretti’s death has been officially ruled a homicide. Community advocates and Pretti’s family call for transparency and justice, raising concerns about potential misconduct and excessive use-of-force. The incident has become a rallying point for reform advocates demanding independent oversight of federal enforcement actions.

• Evidence Sharing and Jurisdictional Disputes: The FBI’s refusal to share evidence related to Pretti’s shooting with Minnesota authorities exemplifies ongoing jurisdictional conflicts, hampering investigations and further eroding community trust. Additionally, reports have surfaced of an accidental firearm discharge by an ICE agent in Eagan, which could have resulted in civilian injuries or fatalities—highlighting safety and accountability issues within enforcement operations.

• Judicial Findings of ICE Contempt: In a landmark case, a Minnesota federal judge found ICE in contempt for violating court orders by unlawfully shipping a detainee out of state, subsequently ordering reimbursement for the detainee’s airfare back home. The judge’s statement—“No explanation”—underscores systemic failures and the agency’s disregard for judicial oversight.

• Training Deficiencies: Recent congressional forums and testimonies reveal that ICE officer training is “deficient” and “broken,” raising alarms about the professionalism and accountability of enforcement personnel. A former agency lawyer emphasized that “the legally required training program at ICE has significant gaps,” which could contribute to misconduct and safety hazards.

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Community Response and Mobilization

Grassroots activism remains vigorous and multifaceted:

• Protests and Rallies: The Minneapolis Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) organized a large rally in northeast Minneapolis, emphasizing that “the fight is not over”. Demonstrations continue, including marches honoring Alex Pretti, with recent gatherings drawing hundreds demanding justice, transparency, and accountability.

• Indigenous and Tribal Leadership: Indigenous communities and leaders are increasingly voicing opposition to enforcement efforts, emphasizing tribal sovereignty, cultural preservation, and justice. They organize protests, educational forums, and legal challenges to protect Native members from wrongful detention and advocate for reforms respecting tribal authority.

• Municipal and Legislative Initiatives: The Minneapolis Park Board has taken steps to halt evictions at properties it owns, recognizing the broader impacts of enforcement on housing stability. Meanwhile, progressive state legislators, including Democrats, are pushing bills to hold ICE agents liable for misconduct. Recently, DFL senators introduced legislation enabling Minnesotans to sue ICE agents for negligence—a significant step toward increased oversight.

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Recent Developments Highlighting Community Impact

The enforcement landscape continues to evolve, with tangible effects on local communities:

• Richfield Pizza Shop Fundraiser: Following the deportation of a co-owner, community members organized a fundraiser to support the family. The incident underscores how immigration enforcement is directly impacting small businesses and community livelihoods, fueling activism and legal efforts to challenge deportations.

• Community Harm and Motivation for Action: Stories of personal and economic loss serve as catalysts for grassroots activism, legal challenges, and increased advocacy for civil rights protections.

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New Developments: Signals of Enforcement Fluctuation

Recent reports reveal a nuanced picture of enforcement activity:

• Minneapolis 911 Calls Indicate a Possible Slowdown: According to data from the Minneapolis 911 dispatch system, there has been a noticeable decrease in ICE-related emergency calls in recent days. Minneapolis public safety leaders and Mayor Jacob Frey’s office stated that the city has received fewer reports involving ICE operations, suggesting a potential slowdown or strategic shift. However, this does not necessarily imply a halt in enforcement but indicates a possible fluctuation in visible activity.

• Ongoing or Shifted Enforcement Actions: Despite the reports of reduced emergency calls, other sources document continued or even shifted enforcement efforts, including covert operations and surveillance, especially in suburban areas. These mixed signals underscore uneven enforcement patterns and maintain community concern that enforcement is ongoing, albeit less publicly visible.

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Outlook: What Lies Ahead?

While Operation Metro Surge may have been officially declared over, enforcement efforts—particularly covert operations, staged tactics, and expansion into suburban and rural areas—are likely to persist in various forms. Disputes over detention practices and local jurisdictional resistance remain unresolved, with federal agencies pushing to expand detention access despite local opposition.

Legal, oversight, and grassroots efforts continue to shape the landscape:

• Community activism and protests remain robust, demanding transparency and accountability.
• Legislative initiatives aim to hold ICE agents liable for misconduct and increase oversight.
• Judicial rulings have begun to expose systemic issues within ICE, highlighting the need for comprehensive reform.

The recent judicial findings and reports of systemic deficiencies within ICE emphasize the urgency for oversight reforms, transparency, and community-based safety strategies. As federal agencies maintain a behind-closed-doors approach, Minnesota communities are standing firm, demanding more oversight, transparency, and justice.

The fight for accountable immigration enforcement and community integrity is far from over. The coming months will be critical in determining whether Minnesota can curb federal overreach and move toward a more humane, transparent, and just approach to immigration and community safety.