Quick Read
- Customs and Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino filmed anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis as agents made arrests.
- A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction protecting protesters and drivers from federal agent attacks and unlawful searches.
- Another federal judge ruled that a Liberian man’s constitutional rights were violated during a violent ICE raid without a judicial warrant.
- The Trump administration launched a criminal investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for allegedly impeding immigration enforcement.
- An ICE agent shot a person, and a flashbang grenade was deployed under a family’s car with an infant, causing the child to lose consciousness.
In the frigid heart of Minneapolis, the federal immigration enforcement blitz dubbed “Operation Metro Surge” has reached a fever pitch, transforming the Twin Cities into a battleground of federal power, community resistance, and intricate legal maneuvers. For a month and a half, residents have confronted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, sparking protests that have escalated into direct clashes and significant judicial interventions. The situation has been further complicated by the visible presence of high-ranking officials like Customs and Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, whose actions on the ground have drawn scrutiny amidst allegations of agent violence.
On January 15, Day 45 of the operation, Commander Greg Bovino was observed at the Whipple Federal Building, reportedly filming what community members and protesters described as ‘propaganda videos.’ This occurred as federal agents pushed back against anti-ICE demonstrators, making arrests that some eyewitnesses characterized as violent. Agents were seen slipping on ice and dropping non-lethal munitions, underscoring the chaotic nature of the confrontations. Bovino’s presence, particularly in a filming capacity during such heated exchanges, has been interpreted by critics as an attempt to control the narrative surrounding the federal crackdown. The NY Daily News, in a broader commentary on the escalating violence, identified Bovino as the ‘Border Patrol boss’ and linked him to pledges by the Trump administration to remove ‘undocumented violent felons,’ highlighting the political dimensions of the enforcement efforts.
Amidst the intensifying federal presence, significant legal challenges have emerged, offering a glimmer of protection for those targeted by the operation. Late on January 16, Day 46, U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez issued a pivotal 83-page preliminary injunction. This ruling explicitly ordered federal agents to cease attacking protesters engaged in First Amendment-protected conduct and forbade unlawful searches of legal observers’ vehicles without justification. While the injunction was narrower than initially sought by plaintiffs, it marked the first major legal curb on federal operations in Minnesota. The ruling also exposed potential weaknesses in the government’s case, noting that federal officials largely relied on non-sworn statements from David Easterwood, acting field director of the St. Paul ICE ERO Field Office, rather than sworn testimonies under penalty of perjury. This pattern, according to Unicorn Riot, mirrored similar legal proceedings in Chicago where federal charges against protesters had previously faltered.
Further underscoring the legal challenges faced by federal agents was the case of Garrison Gibson. On January 15, Judge Jeffrey Bryan ruled that federal agents had violated the constitutional rights of Gibson, a Liberian man whose North Minneapolis home was violently raided without a judicial warrant. Despite Gibson having regularly checked in with immigration officials for years, agents broke into his home and detained him. The raid was live-streamed, drawing widespread media attention. Judge Bryan ordered Gibson’s immediate release, stating unequivocally that ‘This arrest violated the Fourth Amendment.’ Gibson was subsequently re-arrested and released again, highlighting the persistent legal complexities and the federal government’s determined pursuit of its objectives.
The human toll of ‘Operation Metro Surge’ has been a central focus for community advocates and elected officials. On January 16, U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Ilhan Omar, Betty McCollum, and U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith convened a hearing in Minnesota. Alongside state and local officials like Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, they heard harrowing testimonies from community members. Patty O’Keefe, a U.S. citizen detained by ICE in Minneapolis, described holding cells packed with dozens of ‘despondent and grief stricken’ individuals, predominantly Hispanic and East African, with some cells so crowded there was no room to sit or lie down. These accounts painted a grim picture of the ‘cruelty and humiliation’ endured by those held in ICE facilities, as reported by Common Dreams.
The operational tactics of ICE agents have also drawn severe criticism following several high-profile incidents. On Day 44, January 14, an ICE agent shot a person in Minneapolis, injuring them during an attempted arrest. This incident immediately drew a crowd of neighbors and community members who confronted agents, prompting them to abandon equipment and a vehicle. Later that night, a family inadvertently drove into a protest area where agents were present. Despite attempts to leave, their vehicle was surrounded, and ICE agents deployed a flashbang grenade underneath it. The resulting explosion caused airbags to deploy and filled the car with smoke, leading to the unconsciousness of their six-month-old infant, who required CPR. A subsequent social media post by a DHS account, which controversially advised against bringing children to ‘riots,’ was later deleted following public outrage.
Political tensions have flared, with the Trump administration escalating its rhetoric and actions. On January 14, President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would allow for the deployment of military forces to Minnesota to quell protests. He labeled protesters ‘professional agitators and insurrectionists’ and blamed ‘corrupt politicians’ for the unrest, according to Reuters. While he somewhat walked back these threats two days later, stating, ‘I don’t think there’s any reason right now to use it, but if I needed it, I’d use it,’ the specter of military intervention loomed large. This stance faced pushback from GOP senators and legal experts who highlighted major legal barriers. Simultaneously, the Trump administration launched a criminal investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, alleging a ‘conspiracy’ to impede immigration enforcement. Jen Psaki, former White House Press Secretary, sharply criticized this move on MS Now, calling Trump and his staff ‘malicious manchildren’ for such a ‘political move,’ as reported by TheWrap.
Adding another layer of complexity to the volatile situation, far-right agitators have become a significant concern. A march organized by convicted January 6 rioter Jake Lang was anticipated to move from Downtown Minneapolis toward Cedar-Riverside, a hub for the Somali community that has been under intense federal scrutiny. Reports indicated that federal agents have, at times, acted to protect right-wing agitators around key locations such as the Whipple Building, further fueling community distrust. One far-right agitator, Jayden Scott, was even briefly detained by federal agents on January 15, alongside pro-ICE activist Zak X and Gregor Butzow, during the protests Bovino was observed filming.
The ongoing ‘Operation Metro Surge’ has undeniably heightened the stakes in Minnesota. While federal agents were anecdotally less visible in South Minneapolis in recent days, their presence has been noted in surrounding suburbs, indicating a shifting operational strategy. The legal system, though slower, has begun to push back, challenging the methods and justifications of federal enforcement. Meanwhile, the community, supported by local and state officials, continues to mobilize, demanding accountability and protection for their rights.
The confluence of aggressive federal immigration enforcement, judicial pushback, and impassioned community resistance in Minnesota reveals a nation grappling with fundamental questions of civil liberties, executive power, and the role of law enforcement. The visible involvement of officials like Greg Bovino in documenting protests, alongside the administration’s controversial legal and military threats, suggests a deliberate attempt to shape public perception and exert control, even as the courts begin to assert their authority in defense of constitutional rights.