St. Paul mayor meets border czar, presses to curb Metro Surge harms
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her met in person with the federal "border czar" to describe the harms Operation Metro Surge is causing — including fear in neighborhoods, school disruptions, and traffic and business impacts at immigrant‑serving businesses as residents reportedly avoid work, school and essential errands because of visible ICE and Border Patrol activity. Federal officials acknowledged the concerns but gave no signal of an immediate rollback, and the meeting was framed as part of Her’s broader push to tighten the city’s separation ordinance and limit ICE staging on city property.
📌 Key Facts
- On Jan. 28, 2026, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her held an in‑person meeting with the federal 'border czar' to press him to curb harms from Operation Metro Surge.
- Her told the federal official that the surge is causing fear in neighborhoods, disrupting schools, and collapsing customer traffic at immigrant‑serving businesses.
- She relayed stories from local residents and business owners that visible ICE and Border Patrol activity is prompting people to avoid work, school and essential errands.
- The federal side acknowledged the concerns but signaled there would be no immediate rollback of the Metro Surge.
- The meeting was presented as part of St. Paul's broader push to tighten its separation ordinance and to limit ICE staging on city property.
📊 Relevant Data
During Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, immigrant patients are missing key medical appointments due to fear of encountering federal immigration agents, leading to potential public health risks from deterred healthcare access.
Doctors in Minnesota decry fear and chaos amid Trump administration's immigration crackdown — ABC News
The Venezuelan immigrant population in Minnesota is approximately 2,003 individuals as of 2026, providing context for per capita assessments of enforcement impacts in small communities.
Immigrants from Venezuela in Minnesota by City in 2026 — Zip Atlas
Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota has resulted in over 3,000 arrests, including gang members, rapists, and burglars, but lacks publicly detailed per capita arrest rates relative to the size of targeted immigrant communities such as Somalis (over 80,000) or Venezuelans (about 2,003).
DHS Arrests More Worst of Worst Including Gang Members, Rapists, Burglars and More in Minnesota — U.S. Department of Homeland Security
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Mayor Kaohly Her held an in‑person meeting with the federal 'border czar' to describe the harm Operation Metro Surge is causing in St. Paul, including fear in neighborhoods, school disruptions and collapsing traffic at immigrant‑serving businesses.
- Her reportedly relayed stories from local residents and business owners about people avoiding work, school and essential errands because of visible ICE and Border Patrol activity.
- The article notes the federal side’s response — acknowledging the concerns but signaling no immediate rollback of the surge — and frames the meeting as part of the city’s broader push to tighten St. Paul’s separation ordinance and limit ICE staging on city property.