DHS builds Fort Snelling barriers as hundreds more ICE agents arrive in Twin Cities
Federal crews have installed concrete barriers and fencing at Fort Snelling and the Whipple Federal Building as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that "hundreds more" ICE and other federal agents are arriving in the Twin Cities — reporting outlets have cited figures around 1,500 additional ICE agents, roughly 600 Homeland Security Investigations agents and extra Border Patrol personnel. Noem held a press conference at Fort Snelling that drew hundreds of protesters and spurred planned counter‑demonstrations, business closures, school schedule changes and community responses such as constitutional observer trainings.
📌 Key Facts
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem visited Fort Snelling, held a press conference criticizing Minnesota leaders, and her appearance drew hundreds of protesters at the site.
- Reports vary on the size of the federal surge: Noem said
- hundreds more
- would arrive, the White House/FOX reported about 1,500 additional ICE agents for a 30‑day surge plus 600 Homeland Security Investigations agents, other outlets described “upwards of 2,100” ICE agents and investigators, and FOX also reported up to 1,000 Border Patrol agents could be deployed.
- The operation was tied to allegations sparked by a viral Nick Shirley YouTube video about Somali‑run child‑care centers and to a federal audit that found roughly 11% of child‑care assistance payments had deficiencies (potentially affecting $231.4 million across ~1,150 providers); Minnesota’s agency had already checked nine of the 10 facilities named and generally found children present.
- Federal crews began installing concrete barriers and fencing at the Whipple Federal Building (ICE’s regional HQ and immigration court) and other Fort Snelling locations, measures described as responses to protests and the Renee Good shooting; DHS said added agents were being sent so ICE and Border Patrol could operate safely.
- Noem and DHS personnel were reported participating in on‑the‑ground enforcement, including a St. Paul arrest near Payne Market in which Noem is reported to have personally assisted in detaining an Ecuadorian national DHS alleges is wanted in Ecuador and has prior convictions.
- Local and statewide responses included planned and active protests (a 'No Trump No Troops' rally at the Minnesota State Capitol, emergency protests at the Whipple Building, a late‑night protest at the Canopy Hilton), a People’s Action press conference, and public statements from Minneapolis and St. Paul officials (Mayor Jacob Frey reaffirmed the city’s Separation Ordinance; Mayor Melvin Carter issued a statement); a Minneapolis councilmember also warned residents of active ICE activity in neighborhoods.
- Immigrant defense and advocacy groups have launched 'constitutional observer' trainings—about 100 attended the initial St. Paul session—with a planned roughly 30‑city 'Brave Of Us' tour to legally observe and document enforcement, identify detainees, and connect them with legal and family support.
- The surge disrupted daily life: a St. Paul business (La Michoacana Monarca) closed for at least a week citing visible ICE presence and customer fear; Minneapolis Public Schools reopened but added a remote option through mid‑February, postponed activities, increased adult presence at dismissals, and students organized walkouts amid altered routines.
📊 Relevant Data
In Minnesota, 85 of 98 defendants in daycare and food program fraud schemes are from the Somali community, representing significant overrepresentation given that Somalis comprise only about 1.5% of the state's population.
How Fraud Swamped Minnesota's Social Services System — The New York Times
As of November 30, 2025, 73.6% of individuals held in ICE detention (48,377 out of 65,735) have no criminal conviction.
Immigration Detention Quick Facts — TRAC Reports
92% of ICE detention growth in FY 2026 is driven by immigrants with no criminal convictions, with 68,990 people held as of January 7, 2026.
92% of ICE Detention Growth in FY 2026 Driven by Immigrants with No Criminal Convictions — Austin Kocher Substack
Somali Minnesotans generate at least $500 million in income annually and pay about $67 million in state and local taxes.
Somali Minnesotans drive economic growth, pay $67M taxes annually — KSTP
About 36% of Somali Minnesotans lived below the poverty line from 2019 to 2023, more than triple the U.S. poverty rate of 11.1%, linked to low education and lack of English-language ability.
Somali Immigrants in Minnesota — Center for Immigration Studies
Somali refugees in Minnesota were primarily resettled through voluntary agencies such as Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota and Catholic Charities under federal refugee resettlement programs starting in the early 1990s due to civil war in Somalia.
How Minnesota became a hub for Somali immigrants in the U.S. — NPR
The Somali population in Minnesota grew to approximately 107,000 people in 2024, representing about 2% of the state's total population, with significant growth in the Twin Cities area.
By the numbers: Minnesota's Somali population, according to census data — KTTC
ICE operations in Minnesota have led to businesses in Somali communities curtailing hours or closing, with workers staying home due to fear, causing economic disruptions.
As ICE raids target Minnesota Somalis, community hubs fall silent — Sahan Journal
📰 Source Timeline (10)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Crews began installing additional concrete barriers and fencing Monday morning at the Whipple Federal Building, ICE’s regional HQ and immigration court, explicitly in response to protests and the Renee Good shooting.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem told Fox Business the new wave of agents began arriving Sunday and Monday and repeated that 'hundreds more' are being sent so ICE and Border Patrol can operate 'safely.'
- A St. Paul business, La Michoacana Monarca, announced it is closing for at least a week due to visible ICE presence in the area and customer fear.
- Minneapolis Public Schools has reopened buildings but is now formally offering a remote option through mid‑February, while districts are postponing some activities, boosting adult presence at dismissal and students are organizing walkouts at Roosevelt and other schools.
- Education Minnesota president Monica Byron publicly described how ICE operations are cancelling or postponing school events and changing daily routines.
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told FOX News 'hundreds more' federal officers are being sent to Minnesota, arriving Sunday and Monday.
- Noem says the added agents are to ensure ICE and Border Patrol can operate 'safely' in Minneapolis and that people who 'conduct violent activities' or 'impede operations' will be prosecuted.
- The piece notes FOX reporting that up to 1,000 Border Patrol agents are also being deployed on the ground in Minneapolis, and suggests Noem’s 'hundreds' may refer to some or all of that contingent.
- Immigrant Defense Network has launched a series of 'constitutional observer' trainings in response to the ICE surge, beginning with a session in St. Paul that drew about 100 attendees.
- The trainings teach community members how to legally observe and document immigration enforcement actions, emphasizing maintaining distance, not interfering, and using written notes or phone video.
- Organizers plan similar trainings in 30 cities statewide under a 'Brave Of Us' tour, with goals including ensuring detainees are identified, informed of their rights, and connected with legal and family support.
- Reports that Minneapolis City Council Member Jason Chavez publicly warned residents on social media of active ICE officers on Lake Street and in Powderhorn, including claims of officers using vehicles with Uber stickers while checking Latino residents’ status.
- Says the Trump administration’s new operation involves 'upwards of 2,100' ICE agents and DHS investigators in the Twin Cities, sharpening earlier references to 'dozens' of new agents.
- Describes a specific Tuesday arrest in St. Paul near Payne Market by Payne Ave and Jenks Ave East, where DHS Secretary Kristi Noem personally assisted in detaining an Ecuadorian national whom DHS alleges is wanted in Ecuador for murder and sexual assault and has prior robbery/extortion convictions there.
- Notes an "emergency protest" outside the Whipple Building at Fort Snelling during Noem’s visit, as well as a late‑night anti‑ICE protest outside the Canopy Hilton hotel in downtown Minneapolis tied to the surge.
- Reports the White House is sending about 1,500 additional ICE agents to the Twin Cities for a 30‑day surge focused on people with deportation orders, plus 600 Homeland Security Investigations agents targeting fraud in the Somali community.
- Identifies the operation’s backstory as a response to a viral Nick Shirley YouTube video alleging Somali‑run child‑care centers were receiving subsidies with no children present.
- Adds that U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, experienced in prior immigration roundups, is expected to arrive in Minnesota to help lead the surge.
- Connects the surge to a recent federal audit that found deficiencies in Minnesota’s child‑care assistance program and estimated 11% of payments had flaws, potentially affecting $231.4 million in claims across more than 1,150 providers.
- Notes that Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth and Families has already conducted compliance checks at nine of the 10 facilities highlighted in the viral video, generally finding children present and one site closed in 2022.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said Minnesota will see 'dozens' of new ICE agents/federal officers as part of a national expansion (referencing a congressional allocation of 10,000 ICE officers).
- Noem reiterated that any National Guard deployment is the President’s decision while urging state and city cooperation with DHS.
- Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly reaffirmed the city’s Separation Ordinance ahead of Noem’s visit; St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter issued a statement regarding DHS’s presence.
- The protest at the Minnesota State Capitol is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday under the banner 'No Trump No Troops.'
- Confirms Kristi Noem made public remarks during her Twin Cities visit and directly criticized Minnesota leaders by name/policy.
- Adds specific themes of her criticism and policy focus beyond the prior notice of a visit and protests.
- Provides on-the-ground details from her appearance (timing/venue context and comments) from a metro outlet.
- The visit occurred at Fort Snelling, where DHS Secretary Kristi Noem held a press conference.
- Hundreds of protesters gathered at Fort Snelling during the press conference.
- The protest coincided with the secretary’s remarks on immigration enforcement, escalating from previously planned demonstrations to an on‑site protest at the event location.
- People’s Action Coalition Against Trump will hold a Friday noon press conference responding to the reported visit.
- A 'No Trump No Troops' rally and march is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul.
- FOX 9 reports DHS has not yet provided confirmation details of Secretary Noem’s visit and has been contacted for more information.