MINNEAPOLIS (The COW News Digital) Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Minneapolis on Friday, demanding the withdrawal of federal immigration agents from Minnesota following the reported deaths of two U.S. citizens allegedly shot by immigration officers. The demonstration, held despite freezing winter temperatures, reflected widespread anger over the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration enforcement operations.
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The protest drew a diverse crowd, including families with young children, elderly couples, and youth activists. Many participants voiced concerns over the National Immigration Crackdown launched by President Donald Trump, which deployed approximately 3,000 federal officers to Minneapolis under Operation Metro Surge. Officers, clad in tactical gear, conducted intensive patrols that, according to reports, made the ICE presence in the city five times larger than the local police force.
Simultaneously, demonstrations spread beyond Minnesota, with students and teachers across states from California to New York staging walkouts in solidarity. Protesters criticized the increased federal presence and the agency’s enforcement methods, calling for accountability and a halt to aggressive tactics.
Local residents described the deployment of federal agents as “intimidating,” with officers conducting operations in neighborhoods already under significant social and economic stress. Many argued that the scale and nature of the ICE presence raised concerns about civil liberties, community safety, and potential misuse of authority.
The protest coincided with conflicting statements from the Trump administration regarding the continuation or expansion of Operation Metro Surge, leaving communities uncertain about the future of federal immigration actions in Minneapolis. Organizers of the demonstration stressed that public pressure is necessary to influence policy and safeguard local populations.
Civil rights advocates noted that the protests reflect a broader national debate over immigration enforcement, federal intervention in local communities, and the use of force by ICE. The Minneapolis demonstration, one of the largest in recent months, underscores the public’s growing concern over aggressive immigration policies and their consequences for ordinary citizens.
Authorities have not reported any major clashes during the protest, though heightened security measures were in place throughout the downtown area. Community leaders called for calm while continuing to press the federal government to reconsider enforcement strategies and prioritize human rights.
