Minneapolis Mayor Frey Speaks Out on Federal Immigration Crackdown

Thousands of federal agents have descended on the city, sparking protests and fear among residents.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 6:31pm

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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has had to navigate a tense situation in his city since December, as thousands of federal immigration agents arrived as part of 'Operation Metro Surge.' The aggressive federal action has led to protests over the killings of two American citizens by ICE and CBP, and left some residents afraid to leave their homes. Frey spoke with NY Times reporter Lulu Garcia-Navarro about the profound implications this has for the whole country.

Why it matters

The federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis has sparked outrage and fear among residents, raising concerns about civil liberties, the role of federal law enforcement, and the impact on local communities. As a major city, Minneapolis' experience could foreshadow similar conflicts playing out across the country.

The details

Since December, thousands of federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have arrived in Minneapolis as part of an immigration enforcement effort called 'Operation Metro Surge.' This aggressive federal action has led to protests over the killings of two American citizens by ICE and CBP, and left some residents afraid to leave their homes. Mayor Jacob Frey has had to navigate this tense situation, even as the federal government has sent in a new commander, Tom Homan, to try to de-escalate the situation.

  • The federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis began in December 2025.
  • On Thursday, January 30, 2026, Mayor Frey spoke with NY Times reporter Lulu Garcia-Navarro about the situation.

The players

Mayor Jacob Frey

The mayor of Minneapolis who has had to manage the tense situation in his city since the arrival of thousands of federal immigration agents in December 2025.

Tom Homan

The new commander dispatched by the Department of Homeland Security to try to de-escalate the situation in Minneapolis.

Gregory Bovino

The original commander of the federal immigration operation in Minneapolis, who has been replaced by Tom Homan.

President Trump

The President who denied that there was any plan to pull back federal agents from Minneapolis, contradicting statements made by Tom Homan.

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What they’re saying

“A terrifying line is being crossed. We have federal agents operating in our city, in our neighborhoods, without the consent or coordination of local law enforcement.”

— Mayor Jacob Frey (NY Times)

What’s next

The judge overseeing the federal immigration operation in Minneapolis is expected to rule next week on whether to scale back the number of federal agents deployed to the city.

The takeaway

The federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis has become a flashpoint, raising broader questions about the balance of power between federal and local authorities, the rights of citizens, and the appropriate use of federal law enforcement resources. As the situation continues to unfold, it could have significant implications for other cities and communities across the country.