Minneapolis’ Mayor Jacob Frey strongly criticized plans to send active-duty military personnel to Minnesota to assist with heightened immigration enforcement efforts, branding them as unconstitutional and unreasonable. Frey called on demonstrators to maintain peaceful conduct to avoid creating justification for the president to invoke military intervention within the Twin Cities area.
The Department of Homeland Security recently intensified immigration actions by deploying over 2,000 federal agents to Minneapolis and St. Paul, leading to daily protests since early January. These demonstrations reflect community concerns about federal agencies' presence and activities.
In response to tensions in neighborhoods targeted by immigration enforcement, postal workers marched on a Sunday, their chants urging to "Protect our routes. Get ICE out." Concurrently, three hotels that protesters identified as housing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel halted reservation acceptance, a move tied to burgeoning safety concerns amid the unrest.
Officials from the Pentagon disclosed that approximately 1,500 active soldiers from Alaska’s Army 11th Airborne Division, trained for arctic operations, have been placed on alert, prepared for potential deployment to Minnesota should the president activate the rarely utilized 19th-century Insurrection Act. This legislation allows the president to authorize military deployment domestically in support of federal enforcement. However, President Donald Trump has temporarily refrained from following through on this option.
Mayor Frey firmly stated the government’s approach as "ridiculous," emphasizing his administration's commitment to peaceful responses and refusal to be intimidated by federal pressure. He highlighted the constitutionality issues surrounding armed forces' domestic deployment in this context and reiterated the community's exercise of First Amendment rights through largely peaceful protests.
The governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, has activated the state National Guard but confirmed that no members have been dispatched onto city streets amid the situation.
As a result of ongoing demonstrations and safety issues, several Minneapolis-St. Paul hotels potentially tied to hosting immigration enforcement staff have shuttered operations or suspended new bookings through early February. Specifically, Hilton DoubleTree and IHG InterContinental properties in downtown St. Paul, along with the Hilton Canopy location in Minneapolis, have either closed temporarily or ceased booking new guests.
An IHG spokesperson cited guest and employee safety concerns as the cause for the InterContinental hotel's closure, also assuring that guests with existing bookings could seek assistance for alternative accommodations. Prior in the month, there was controversy when the Hampton Inn Lakeville near Minneapolis declined to host immigration officers, initially contradicting Hilton corporate policy and leading to public apology by the property’s independent operator.
Community members and local workers have actively voiced displeasure towards the immigration crackdown. Postal carrier Peter Noble referenced unsafe driving behaviors by enforcement officers, while fellow letter carrier Susan Becker recounted witnessed incidents of aggressive tactics, including forced entries and physical detainments affecting both citizens and immigrants alike. Despite the circumstances, Becker emphasized that many impacted individuals are lawful residents who deserve recognition and respect.
At the federal level, Republican Representative Tom Emmer urged caution in rhetoric from Minnesota’s governor, recommending a focus on supporting law enforcement rather than confrontational language. Emmer noted that officers are performing their duties with intent and without malice but have felt increasingly targeted amid criticisms.
Amidst heightened scrutiny, video circulated on social media showing federal officers using pepper spray against protesters, forcibly entering residences, and making arrests. A recent federal court ruling prohibits immigration officials from detaining or using tear gas on peaceful observers who are not obstructing law enforcement, particularly relevant to the ongoing unrest related to immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota.