ICE Ramps Up Targeting of Minneapolis Legal Observers

Uptick in 'abductions' of community volunteers monitoring federal immigration operations

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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In a 30-minute span on Friday, three Minneapolis legal observers were arrested as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol ramped up their targeting of community volunteers monitoring the agencies' operations in the Twin Cities. The disappearances are part of an ongoing struggle between federal agents and local residents resisting the Trump administration's 'Operation Metro Surge', the largest immigration enforcement campaign in history.

Why it matters

The targeting of legal observers raises concerns about civil liberties and the Trump administration's crackdown on dissent, as the federal government asserts sweeping immigration authorities and seeks to quash community resistance. The abductions are part of the broader social and economic impacts of the immigration raids, which have left thousands of immigrant families living in hiding and devastated local businesses.

The details

On Friday, legal observers on an encrypted group call received a desperate plea from a fellow observer who was following federal agents who had just loaded her friend into an unmarked vehicle. By the time support arrived, the observer was gone. It was at least the fourth such disappearance of the day - the third in less than 30 minutes. The observers, who call themselves 'commuters', have organized to resist 'Operation Metro Surge' by monitoring federal immigration operations in the Twin Cities. Despite a 'drawdown' of 700 federal officers announced by the new head of Metro Surge, Tom Homan, the community is reporting an 'uptick in abductions' of both immigrant community members and legal observers.

  • On Friday, legal observers on an encrypted group call received a desperate plea.
  • Three days before the commuters were taken, the new head of Metro Surge, Tom Homan, announced a 'drawdown' of 700 federal officers and agents.

The players

Tom Homan

The new head of the 'Operation Metro Surge' immigration enforcement campaign, appointed by the Trump administration to take over from the previous Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino.

Gregory Bovino

The previous Border Patrol commander whose heavy-handed tactics during 'Operation Metro Surge' culminated in three shootings in three weeks, including the killings of U.S. citizens Renée Good and Alex Pretti.

Kaegan Recher

A commuter who hurried to the scene of the observer who disappeared while on call, describing the 'terror in her voice' as 'really, really horrible'.

Renée Good

A U.S. citizen killed during the 'Operation Metro Surge' immigration enforcement campaign under the previous Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino.

Alex Pretti

A U.S. citizen killed during the 'Operation Metro Surge' immigration enforcement campaign under the previous Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino.

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What they’re saying

“She was so scared. The terror in her voice was really, really horrible.”

— Kaegan Recher, Commuter (The Intercept)

“How do you justify terrorizing an entire community? It is the most un-American thing I've ever experienced in my entire life.”

— Kaegan Recher, Commuter (The Intercept)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.