Federal officials have announced that Operation Metro Surge is nearing its end, but reactions from local leaders and community organizations reveal a mix of cautious optimism and deep skepticism about the White House’s characterization of the operation.

A Dakota County judge heard arguments Wednesday morning on whether Philip Vance is entitled to an evidentiary hearing as part of his fifth petition for post-conviction relief, a legal step that could allow new testimony and evidence to be examined in court.

Mental health professionals, community organizers, artists, and residents alike are describing the moment as a collective trauma that is rippling through entire neighborhoods, cultural communities, and the state as a whole.

Nine people, ranging from journalists to long-time community leaders to military veterans, have been charged in relation to the Cities Church protest on January 18. Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong and Saint Paul School Board member Chauntyll Allen, said in interviews at the church they were there to raise concerns about one of the church’s pastors, David Easterwood, also working as the acting field director of ICE’s St. Paul office. Days after the protest, Nekim

The boycott was launched by community leaders and activists Nekima Levy Armstrong, Jaylani Hussein and Monique Cullars-Doty. The campaign began after Target rolled back elements of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in January 2025.

TurnSignl , founded by Minneapolis attorney and entrepreneur Jazz Hampton, has launched TurnSignl Plus, a service that connects users with immigration attorneys in real time across the United States. As federal immigration enforcement continues across Minnesota under Operation Metro Surge — even following a newly announced federal drawdown — a Minneapolis-based legal technology company is expanding services aimed at helping people access attorneys during immigration encounter

Community leader and racial justice organizer Jeanelle Austin has announced her candidacy for Minnesota Senate District 62, challenging incumbent Sen. Omar Fateh (D).

The arrest of independent journalist Georgia Fort on January 30 by federal agents in connection with an anti-ICE protest at a church in Saint Paul has raised a grave concern: Do we have a constitution?

UPDATE 3:30 p.m. CST Georgia Fort has been released from federal custody. More updates to follow... UPDATE 11:40 a.m. CST Local community leaders and members of Georgia Fort's family hold a press conference calling for her immediate release. Fort is facing two charges: Conspiracy Against Right of Religious Freedom at Place of Worship (18:241) and Injure, Intimidate and Interfere with Exercise of Right of Religious Freedom at Place of Worship (18:248 (a) (2), (b), and 2(a).

Greg Stoker served four combat deployments with the 75th Ranger Regiment, including two in Afghanistan. He said his experiences in war — and later as an activist — led him to reject U.S. militarism. He now works as an anti-imperialist organizer, geopolitical analyst, and journalist. He's also running for Congress in Texas. MINNEAPOLIS — Former U.S. Army Ranger and veteran activist Greg Stoker delivered a stark warning about the future of the United States during a veterans-o

Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, was killed by U.S. Border Patrol agents on Saturday, January 24 MINNEAPOLIS —   Federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital, early Saturday, amid an ongoing surge in immigration enforcement across the city. The shooting was captured on camera by several witnesses. Those videos show Pretti holding a cellphone—not a gun—when he was shot. In multiple

Modern Times Cafe, located at 32nd Street and Chicago Avenue, announced that it will operate as a free restaurant for the duration of the federal occupation in Minneapolis.

January 22, 2026 — Minnesota civil and human rights leaders Dr. Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Allen were arrested by federal agents today for their roles in organizing and participating in a protest inside Cities Church in St. Paul this past Sunday. Both activists appeared in federal court this afternoon, where confusion initially surrounded the basis for their arrests. According to reporters in the courtroom, neither Nekima, Chauntyll, nor their attorneys had been pro

Minnesota police chiefs are speaking out about a recent federal immigration enforcement surge — saying it’s leading to racial profiling of U.S. citizens, including off-duty police officers. January 20 — Police chiefs and law enforcement leaders from across Minnesota warned Tuesday that a recent federal immigration enforcement surge has resulted in racial profiling of U.S. citizens, undermining civil rights and eroding public trust in policing. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark

Raeisha Williams, a St. Paul community advocate, small business owner, and nonprofit leader, has announced her candidacy for Minnesota Senate District 65, centering her campaign on public safety, small business support, and stronger child welfare systems that support families and address trauma early.