Minnesota Resistance: Protests Erupt Against Trump's Immigration Actions

Mon Jan 19 2026 06:52:33 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Amid rising tensions, Minnesota residents protest against ICE's aggressive immigration enforcement, responding to the Trump administration's crackdown and citing fears of racial profiling and civil rights violations.

With approximately 1,500 troops on standby, Minnesota sees escalating protests against the Trump administration's immigration policies. Residents, including activists, are tracking ICE agents to hold them accountable while a federal judge limits the use of crowd control on peaceful demonstrators. The situation intensifies following the death of a woman shot by an ICE agent, highlighting community outrage and the divergent positions of the federal and local governments.

Amid rising tensions, approximately 1,500 troops are reportedly on standby in Minnesota as protests mount against President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration policies. Local resistance has intensified, highlighting issues of racial profiling and the rights of both migrants and U.S. citizens amid the ongoing crackdown by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Residents from the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, find themselves engaged in daily activities to monitor and film ICE agents as a form of accountability. One protestor, who goes by the pseudonym Sunshine, expressed concerns for her safety while asserting her right to observe ICE operations.

The community's apprehension has only grown following the death of Renée Good, a 37-year-old woman shot by an ICE agent earlier this month. Local officials contest claims from the Trump administration that the shooting was justified, prompting an FBI investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Tensions escalated further when a U.S. federal judge ordered restrictions on ICE's use of force against peaceful demonstrators, emphasizing the legal rights of citizens to protest. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has condemned Trump's actions, accusing the federal government of exploiting the situation for political gain.

As Minneapolis authorities navigate these protests, they remain committed to keeping demonstrations orderly and peaceful. Yet, law enforcement has responded with tear gas and pepper balls when necessary, indicating a heavy-handed stance against civil protests. The protests reflect a growing backlash in Democratic-leaning cities against Trump's immigration agenda, as activists vow to protect their community and resist escalating federal operations.

In a recent counter-demonstration, hundreds took to the streets, successfully dispersing a smaller pro-ICE rally organized by far-right activists, reflecting the city's deepening tensions over immigration issues. As both sides dig in, the potential deployment of military troops threatens to heighten the conflict further.