Slippery Minnesota
Photo credit: MPRnews
As the magnum opus of his second administration, Donald Trump promised sweeping reforms in immigration policy and enforcement. Indeed, he campaigned on having the American federal government carry out mass-deportations of undocumented migrants, an idea seemingly borrowed from European far-right groups. With his “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the agency responsible for carrying out deportations in the U.S., the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), had its budget raised to approximatelty 85B$, which makes the agency better funded than most modern militaries, including Canada’s (Center for International Policy).
Trump’s approach to immigration was heavily criticised by many Democrats. Some of the loudest and most prominent voices were Mayor Jacob Frey and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, both from the state of Minnesota. As what can easily be seen as an act of direct retaliation and confrontation, the Department of Homeland Security announced “Operation Metro Surge” in early December; the self-proclaimed “largest immigration enforcement operation ever carried out.” By early January, 2000 ICE agents were roaming the streets of the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St-Paul.
Trump’s approach to immigration was heavily criticised by many Democrats. Some of the loudest and most prominent voices were Mayor Jacob Frey and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, both from the state of Minnesota. As what can easily be seen as an act of direct retaliation and confrontation, the Department of Homeland Security announced “Operation Metro Surge” in early December; the self-proclaimed “largest immigration enforcement operation ever carried out.” By early January, 2000 ICE agents were roaming the streets of the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St-Paul.
As of the past month, ICE has arrested around 3000 people. Many of these people are American citizens, immigrants with valid work permits, and asylum seekers. Operation Metro Surge has had a great impact on the community: residents feel unsafe to leave their homes, schools are transitioning to online learning, businesses report significant losses… And yet, even as America and the rest of the world grow more Orwellian, authoritarian and colder, hope persists. In Minnesota, people speak out, protest, and help those most affected by the situation. Truly, it is an invigorating proof that together, our love can vanquish their hate.
Works Cited:
“Backing down Isn’t an Option’: Minnesota Ice Shootings Mobilize Americans to Join Ice Observer Groups.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 31 Jan. 2026, www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jan/31/ice-observer-document-immigration-agents.
“Arming and Expanding Ice: The Cost to American Taxpayers and Liberties.” CIP, 2 Sept. 2025, internationalpolicy.org/publications/arming-and-expanding-ice-the-cost-to-american-taxpayers-and-liberties/.
