Minnesota ICE Raids and Protests

House Judiciary Committee Democrats, led by Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, sent Attorney General Pam Bondi a letter demanding DOJ records by Feb. 2, alleging senior Trump administration officials ordered federal scrutiny of Renee Good’s widow, blocked state prosecutors’ access to evidence, and are taking similar steps in the Alex Pretti case. Multiple outlets report DOJ declined to open civil‑rights probes into both killings—routing the Pretti matter to ICE’s HSI and CBP’s compliance review—while congressional and state officials have raised alarms about investigatory irregularities (two agents fired in Pretti’s death, the recovered handgun lacked documented chain of custody, evidence was returned to DHS, several prosecutors resigned) and a federal judge has ordered preservation of federal evidence.

Faith leaders and congregations have mobilized to resist ICE’s "Operation Metro Surge," backing protests and an "ICE Out" economic blackout in which dozens of Twin Cities restaurants, bars and cafés plan early closures, fund staff to join demonstrations, post signs barring federal agents and distribute whistles, while some hotels identified as housing ICE officers have turned away guests. The enforcement sweep has reportedly battered Minneapolis’s economy—businesses cite sales drops up to 80% and a Minneapolis Fed survey found reduced foot traffic and lower employment—prompting a lawsuit by the state and cities to halt the operation even as U.S. officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, have visited, condemned a church disruption and said federal subpoenas have been issued to state and local leaders.