MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the idea of deploying active-duty soldiers in Minnesota for immigration enforcement, characterizing it as absurd and unconstitutional. His remarks came amid ongoing protests as citizens demand a halt to increased federal immigration enforcement.
Protests have been consistently taking place throughout January, largely triggered by a surge in immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities, where over 2,000 federal officers were brought in by the Department of Homeland Security to ramp up immigration enforcement efforts.
In a diverse neighborhood frequently patrolled by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. postal workers joined protesters on Sunday, chanting, “Protect our routes. Get ICE out.”
The Pentagon has reportedly placed around 1,500 active-duty soldiers from Alaska on standby for potential deployment to Minnesota should President Trump invoke the Insurrection Act, a rarely-used law allowing military force to be deployed domestically.
Despite the growing tensions, Frey appealed for peaceful protests, encouraging citizens to exercise their First Amendment rights without resorting to chaos. “We will not take the bait,” he declared in an interview on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, reaffirming his stance against military deployment. Gov. Tim Walz has also prepared the Minnesota National Guard but noted that no units have been deployed to urban streets.
Local protests have emerged in response to confrontations between ICE officers and residents, including the shooting of Renee Good, a U.S. citizen, during a recent incident involving immigration officers. Activists and protestors have expressed concern over federal operations that disrupt their communities.
Some community members, like Peter Noble and letter carrier Susan Becker, articulated their frustrations, describing life-threatening situations posed by the aggressive tactics of federal officers. They highlighted that many individuals targeted are lawful residents and citizens deserving of protection.
Amidst the unrest, some local lawmakers have called for more supportive measures for law enforcement, arguing that ICE officers are simply doing their jobs amidst a climate of fear and tension fostered at higher levels of government.
Amid these developments, a federal judge ruled that immigration enforcement agents cannot detain or use tear gas against peaceful protesters, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding civil liberties amid increased federal presence.
