MINNEAPOLIS — When President Trump began his second term in office last year, he made a commitment to curb legal migration and to deport individuals who are in the U.S. without legal status. Nearly a year into his administration, Minnesota has become a notable case study of how these immigration policies are being enforced in a predominantly blue state. The recent tragic shooting of Renee Macklin Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent has ignited a significant backlash against the presence of federal immigration agents within the state.
Currently, over 2,000 federal immigration agents are stationed in Minnesota, a number that is anticipated to grow. Recently, an ICE agent shot a man in the leg during an attempted arrest, claiming they were ambushed by two individuals. In light of these incidents, President Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy troops to Minnesota. Officials from the Trump administration argue that the increase in ICE agents is necessary due to the state’s leaders not cooperating with federal efforts to enforce immigration laws.
In response to these federal interventions, Minnesota's Democratic lawmakers, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and both U.S. senators from the state, are vocalizing their opposition. Mayor Frey expressed concerns about the sustainability of ICE's increased presence, stating, "We have two governmental entities that are literally fighting one another. This is an impossible situation our city is being put in."
On Thursday, Minnesota's Democratic Attorney General, Keith Ellison, reacted to Trump's threats, asserting, "Donald Trump is clearly trying to create an excuse to invoke the Insurrection Act, but none exists." This sentiment is echoed by local leaders who emphasize the need for cooperation rather than confrontation between state and federal authorities.
Some congressional Democrats are attempting to exercise their oversight authority to challenge the federal government's actions. Last weekend, Representatives Angie Craig, Kelly Morrison, and Ilhan Omar visited an ICE detention facility near Minneapolis. They had notified the facility of their visit in advance, expecting to conduct an oversight check. However, they were only granted a brief 10-minute visit, during which they observed troubling conditions but were not allowed to engage with detainees.
Rep. Omar criticized the encounter, stating, "What happened today is a blatant attempt to obstruct members of Congress from doing their oversight duties." Meanwhile, Rep. Morrison expressed concern over what she witnessed: "We saw a lot of young men sitting with their heads in their hands. We were not allowed to speak to any of them."
Under federal law, members of Congress have the right to make unannounced visits to ICE facilities. A recent ruling from a Washington, D.C. federal court confirmed this right, stating it applies to all facilities funded by congressional appropriations. However, a memo from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem instructed staff to require advance notice for such visits, which has drawn criticism from lawmakers like Craig, who stated, "It is our job as members of Congress to make sure that those folks detained are treated with humanity."
Noem, addressing reporters, labeled the Insurrection Act as a potential tool for the administration while urging state leaders to collaborate with federal efforts to tackle crime. "My hope is this leadership team in Minnesota will start to work with us to get criminals off the streets," she remarked.
Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota has also faced scrutiny from the Trump administration, which has used the state as a focal point for its political attacks. Last week, Walz withdrew from his reelection bid to focus on governance and address issues surrounding fraud investigations into state social service programs. He continues to request that the Department of Homeland Security ease its tight grip on the state.
In a statement, Walz emphasized the importance of maintaining democratic values, saying, "The nation is looking to us to hold the line on democracy, to hold the line on decency. We can look out for one another. We can have differences." His call to action includes encouraging residents to document ICE activities to create a record of incidents and support future legal actions.
Despite attempts to resist federal actions, Democrats in Minnesota find themselves at a disadvantage politically, as they do not control either chamber of Congress. Political science professor Michael Minta points out that while moderate Republicans have shown some dissent during Trump's presidency, they are generally reluctant to oppose him directly. This dynamic complicates the ability of Democrats to mount a significant challenge against the administration's policies.
In a recent interview, Minnesota Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar indicated she is contemplating a run for governor following Walz's exit from the race. She highlighted the necessity for her party to gain a majority in Congress to effectively counteract Trump's administration. "We need a check on Donald Trump," Klobuchar stated, emphasizing the urgency of the upcoming midterm elections.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Minnesota Democrats are pursuing legal avenues to challenge the increased presence of ICE in the state. Attorney General Ellison, alongside the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, has initiated a lawsuit against the federal government to halt ICE operations. The outcome of this legal battle, as well as the midterm elections, will significantly influence the future of immigration enforcement in Minnesota.