Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey voiced concerns that federal immigration enforcement could spark violence, warning that “somebody is gonna get seriously injured or killed” amid ongoing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the Twin Cities.
Frey made the remarks during a Dec. 23 news conference alongside Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and community leaders. He described the situation as a “tinderbox that could explode,” attributing chaos to ICE agents conducting arrests under Operation Metro Surge [1], a federal initiative targeting illegal aliens in the area.
“I am increasingly concerned because of the chaos that is being caused by these ICE agents that somebody is gonna get seriously injured or killed,” Frey said [2]. He added that the risk applied to both agents and community members, emphasizing that Minneapolis police would not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement beyond state and local laws.
State and local officials at the event criticized the operations as “political theater” and accused ICE of targeting U.S. citizens and people of color. Walz noted an expected influx of agents around the holidays, calling for transparency to protect public safety. Community leaders echoed calls for halting the raids, citing fears among illegal alien populations. The conference followed reports of ICE arrests in Minneapolis neighborhoods, including some involving individuals with legal status.
Frey’s warning comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions over immigration enforcement nationwide. Protests against ICE have turned violent in several U.S. cities this year. In Los Angeles, June demonstrations against mass deportations involved clashes with authorities, including arrests for assault on officers.
Portland saw anarchists and rioters doxxing ICE personnel online, leading to unsafe conditions for federal workers. In Chicago, September protests during Operation Midway Blitz escalated into violence, with tear gas and pepper balls deployed after demonstrators threw rocks and bottles at agents.
The Department of Homeland Security reported a more than 1,150% increase in assaults [3] on ICE officers compared to previous years, linking the surge to inflammatory rhetoric from sanctuary city leaders. Death threats rose 8,000% [4], including doxxing and phone harassment. Apps tracking agent locations have prompted concerns, with lawmakers urging removal for safety risks, as they enable real-time alerts to evade arrests [5].
Pew Research Center estimates show the illegal alien population at 14 million in 2023 [6], but arrivals have plummeted since President Donald Trump was re-elected as president.
Minneapolis officials pledged to support illegal aliens through legal aid and know-your-rights campaigns, while federal authorities continue operations to comply with executive orders signed to keep Americans safe.