Minnesota Demands Immediate Withdrawal of ICE Agents

Protesters call for end to "cruel and racist" ICE presence in the state

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Former Star Tribune reporter Randy Furst argues that the planned phased withdrawal of 700 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from Minnesota is not enough, and that the demand should be for ICE to leave the state immediately. Furst draws parallels to the anti-Vietnam War movement, saying that just as the slogan was "Support our boys in Vietnam, bring them home now," the rallying cry in Minnesota should be "No to ICE. ICE out now."

Why it matters

The presence of ICE agents in Minnesota has been a source of controversy, with protesters arguing that the agency's actions have been "cruel and racist." The debate over ICE's withdrawal mirrors earlier debates within the anti-Vietnam War movement over whether to call for a phased withdrawal or immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops.

The details

Furst, a former reporter who was involved in the anti-Vietnam War movement, argues that the reasons given by the Trump administration for the ICE presence in Minnesota have shifted multiple times, from targeting the Somali American population over fraud allegations to claiming ICE was rooting out "illegal immigrants who were rapists and murderers." Furst says these claims have been proven false, and that the real reason for the ICE invasion is unclear. He calls the demands made by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Trump's border czar Tom Homan as "a ransom note" and "lies."

  • On February 4, 2026, Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, suggested that the withdrawal of ICE agents from Minnesota depended on an end to the "harassment" of ICE agents by peaceful protesters.

The players

Tim Walz

The governor of Minnesota who has called for the withdrawal of ICE agents from the state.

Jacob Frey

The mayor of Minneapolis who has also called for the withdrawal of ICE agents from Minnesota.

Andrew Luger

A former U.S. Attorney in Minnesota who stated that illegal immigrants were not the "worst of the worst" violent offenders in the state.

Pam Bondi

The U.S. Attorney General who sent a letter to Governor Walz demanding that Minnesota turn over voter rolls, Medicaid and food stamp data, and repeal sanctuary policies in exchange for the withdrawal of ICE agents.

Tom Homan

Trump's border czar who suggested that the withdrawal of ICE agents from Minnesota depended on an end to the "harassment" of ICE agents by peaceful protesters.

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What they’re saying

“As the lead Minnesota federal law enforcement official over seven years, I never heard law enforcement argue to make illegal immigration the top priority. Not once did anyone suggest to me that illegal immigrants were the 'worst of the worst' violent offenders in Minnesota. Because it simply is not true.”

— Andrew Luger, Former U.S. Attorney (Star Tribune)

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and the role of federal agencies like ICE, with protesters in Minnesota demanding an immediate withdrawal of ICE agents from the state. The parallels drawn to the anti-Vietnam War movement suggest that sustained, peaceful protests may be necessary to force the government to accede to the demands of the local community.