Neighbors Fight Back as ICE Stalks Minneapolis

Minneapolis is no longer the quiet city many thought it was.
A few blocks can feel normal, but behind that calm a tense watch is happening every day.

The Invisible Surveillance

Federal agents show up in plain clothes and blend into neighborhoods, making people feel watched even though they are not everywhere at once.
The fear that someone could be taken at any moment has pushed many residents, especially immigrants, into hiding.

Grassroots Response

• Local patrols: Residents walk the streets, keeping an eye out.
• “ICE OUT” signs: Post everywhere, a simple statement of defiance.
• Free water and hot‑dish kitchens: Volunteers deliver groceries and meals to those who can’t leave their homes.
• Community networks: Grew quickly after the federal government announced Metro Surge, a large‑scale raid.

Ongoing Threats

ICE agents have taken many people from their jobs, grabbed parents on school routes, and left cars abandoned in the streets.
Those most at risk—people with uncertain status or those who simply look different—have stopped going to work, school, or even the grocery store.
The result is a community split between solidarity and fear.

Political Tension

City leaders have asked for a pause on evictions, hoping residents can keep their homes while the situation calms.
The decision lies with the state governor, who has not yet said what he will do.
Meanwhile, the city council balances support for those in need with the reality that no one else can step in.

Technology as a Shield

• Private camera networks: A local tech worker installed cameras on street corners, allowing neighbors to monitor for agents and record harassment.
• Dashcams: Distributed so people can film encounters with ICE themselves.

These tools help residents feel safer but also highlight how invasive the government’s presence feels.

Historical Context

The fight against ICE touches deeper histories of displacement, such as the treatment of Native peoples in the area and the legacy of past injustices.
Activists at a nearby historic fort use the space to support refugees and protest ongoing raids.

Life Persists

Despite everything, people still pay rent, go to work when they can, and try to keep their families together.
The city’s residents are looking out for one another, hoping tension will ease and a community where everyone feels safe can be rebuilt.