Minneapolis Residents Defy City Calls to Stop Building Anti-ICE Barricades

Neighbors continue erecting makeshift checkpoints to monitor federal immigration agents in the city.

Feb. 7, 2026 at 7:55pm

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Minneapolis officials are asking residents to stop building makeshift barricades and checkpoints intended to slow and track federal immigration agents in the city, but locals have continued constructing the barriers despite the city's warnings.

Why it matters

The ongoing conflict between Minneapolis residents and immigration authorities highlights the tension over immigration enforcement in the city, with community members taking matters into their own hands to monitor ICE activity and limit the agency's ability to operate in their neighborhoods.

The details

Neighbors in Minneapolis have been erecting temporary checkpoints and barricades in an effort to impede the movements of federal immigration agents. City officials have urged residents to stop these activities, citing concerns over blocked traffic and potential legal issues, but the community-led efforts have persisted.

  • The makeshift checkpoints first began appearing in Minneapolis neighborhoods in early 2026.
  • City officials issued warnings to residents about the barricades in late January 2026.

The players

Minneapolis

The city in Minnesota where residents have been building anti-ICE barricades.

ICE

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency that has been the target of the neighborhood monitoring efforts.

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What they’re saying

“We must respect the rule of law and not take matters into our own hands, no matter how strongly we feel about the issues.”

— Minneapolis City Official

What’s next

Minneapolis officials have indicated they may take legal action if the resident-built barricades continue, raising the possibility of a confrontation between the city and community members over the issue.

The takeaway

The ongoing standoff in Minneapolis highlights the deep divisions and distrust between immigrant communities and federal immigration enforcement, with residents taking extraordinary measures to monitor and impede the activities of ICE agents in their neighborhoods.