Minnesota Lawmakers Hear Testimony on ICE Tactics in Twin Cities

Residents describe aggressive actions, racial profiling, and arbitrary detentions by federal immigration agents.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:07pm

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In an hourslong hearing, the Minnesota State Senate heard testimony from a range of speakers, including physicians, software developers, Native American community organizers, and an independent journalist, about the Trump administration's deportation crackdown in the Twin Cities. Witnesses recounted acts of violence, racial profiling, and seemingly arbitrary detentions by ICE agents, as well as the chilling effect on medical care and community engagement.

Why it matters

The hearing provided a platform for Minnesota residents to share their firsthand experiences with aggressive ICE tactics, which have sown fear and distrust within immigrant and minority communities. The testimony highlighted concerns about civil liberties, racial bias, and the impact on public health and community cohesion.

The details

Speakers described how emergency room and clinic visits had dropped substantially as people avoided seeking medical care out of fear of being detained by ICE. A software developer recalled being arrested and threatened with deportation, despite having a valid visa. Native American community organizers said tribal members had been profiled and detained by ICE, who mistook them for immigrants based on appearance. An independent journalist who had briefly worked for ICE testified that the agency was ill-informed about the makeup of its own force.

  • The hearing took place on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
  • The Trump administration's deportation crackdown in the Twin Cities began late last year.

The players

Alice Mann

A Democratic state senator on the committee who dismissed the possibility of ICE engaging with local leaders in good faith while the crackdown remained ongoing.

Chase Iron Eyes

A lawyer and member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe who said the tribe had not been able to determine the validity of a report that several unhoused tribal members had been detained by immigration authorities in Minneapolis.

Laura Jedeed

An independent journalist who wrote a viral piece for Slate describing how she had been hired by ICE after applying on a whim, despite having failed to complete basic paperwork and a drug test.

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What they’re saying

“This has never been about a both-sides issue. This is about racism. This is about a racist government who is hunting Black and brown people regardless of immigration status and regardless of criminal history.”

— Alice Mann, Democratic state senator (nytimes.com)

“These are houseless relatives. Their names are unknown, so at this time, we don't know where our people are.”

— Chase Iron Eyes, Lawyer and member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (nytimes.com)

“It is my hope that my experience can shed some light on the cavalier disregard this organization has for human life.”

— Laura Jedeed, Independent journalist (nytimes.com)

What’s next

The Minnesota State Senate committee is expected to continue its investigation into the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics in the Twin Cities and consider potential legislative responses to address the concerns raised by witnesses.

The takeaway

The hearing provided a powerful platform for Minnesota residents to share their personal experiences with aggressive and discriminatory ICE tactics, underscoring the need for greater oversight, accountability, and a recalibration of immigration enforcement policies to protect civil liberties and community well-being.