- Details
- By Levi Rickert
The Trump administration announced that it is winding down its large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis — known as Operation Metro Surge — after sustained public outrage over the aggressive tactics used by federal agents, widespread protests, and the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel. Border “czar” Tom Homan said Thursday that the surge of federal officers would be scaled back and that agents would begin withdrawing from the Twin Cities over the coming week, marking the end of the controversial deployment that drew national attention and criticism.
The operation, which began in December and involved thousands of immigration officers conducting raids and detentions, resulted in the arrest of more than 4,000 people, including individuals without criminal records and U.S. citizens, according to federal and local officials. Critics, including civil liberties groups and state and local leaders, had condemned the operation as unconstitutional and a violation of basic rights, prompting lawsuits and public demonstrations. In response to the federal activity, Native organizations, Tribal Nations and community groups organized “know your rights” trainings, distributed food and supplies, and opened safe spaces, while volunteers and concerned residents assisted with neighborhood patrols to alert people about the presence of enforcement agents and support those affected.
Judith LeBlanc (Caddo), executive director of Native Organizers Alliance Action Fund, released the following statement on Thursday afternoon:
“We hope the departure of ICE agents from Minneapolis and Saint Paul proceed quickly and without incident. Native communities, alongside others across the Twin Cities, have organized to support the health and wellbeing of everyone living in the area. The announcement ending the presence of ICE and other federal law enforcement demonstrates the power of everyday people standing together for dignity and human rights. It reflects what can be achieved when we act with bravery and courage to protect all members of our communities.
It is inspiring to see the Native community of Minneapolis embrace our ancestral responsibility to act on behalf of all who live on Mother Earth without hesitation. Organizing is our medicine. It is how we have survived. It is at the heart of our belief systems—our people coming together to protect our families, respond to injustice, and stand alongside those who suffer abuse at the hands of the powerful.
While ICE’s departure from Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota is worth recognizing, we know their aggressive and often illegal tactics continue to harm communities across the country. This moment is not the end of the work to protect families, especially our children. It is a time to reflect on how to walk with our values of kinship every day. Now is the moment to create new and lasting ways of providing community care.
We must look towards the horizon where our descendants will live. That means staying in relationship, remaining vigilant, and committing to ending the terror inflicted on residents of this state and across the country. The kinships we have built must be nurtured. We must use our collective power to change deep, structural policies and government repression rooted in fear and division. Voting has consequences. Elections change the conditions in which we live. As we head into the midterm elections, we must bring leaders forward who will walk the path we are creating toward a truly multiracial, inclusive democracy. Our ancestors prayed that future generations would live in communities grounded in dignity, safety, and human rights for all. We have a responsibility to honor our ancestors by continuing to build those communities for all people and Mother Earth.”
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