Governor Addresses Minnesotans About ICE Operations

Gov. Tim Walz is asking Minnesotans to look out for each other and peacefully protest, and to document enforcement carried out by federal immigration officers.

Wednesday night’s address follows a growing operation opponents say is terrorizing neighborhoods. In a statewide televised speech, the governor noted that right now, 2,000 to 3,000 armed agents are deployed to the state. He said news reports aren’t fully capturing the “chaos and disruption and trauma” associated with the enforcement.

The Trump administration has touted it as the largest ICE operation in agency history, arguing it’s netting arrests of violent offenders. But Walz disagreed with the motivation behind the surge of agents.

“Let’s be very, very clear,” he said. “This long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement. Instead, it’s a campaign of organized brutality against the people of Minnesota by our own federal government.”

The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement earlier Wednesday, criticizing Walz and Minneapolis leaders for pursuing “sanctuary” policies the agency said have led to violent criminals going free. However, federal officials face nationwide backlash after the fatal shooting of Renee Good last week by an ICE agent.

Walz also said residents have the right to peacefully film ICE agents. He asked people to, if they see ICE in their neighborhood, take out their phone and record.

Community organizers say the massive ICE presence has instilled fear in Minneapolis and St. Paul, along with other communities around the state, forcing vulnerable populations to avoid work and school. Walz made note of the mutual aid that’s unfolding to help those households.

“All across Minnesota, people are stepping up to help neighbors who are being unjustly and unlawfully targeted,” he said. “They’re distributing care packages and walking kids to school.”

The governor said thousands of residents are likely to need that support in the weeks to come.

State and local leaders are suing the federal government in response to the expanded enforcement. A judge this week declined to temporarily halt the operation, but stressed it shouldn’t be seen a “pre-judgement” with additional case activity expected over the next week.