Minnesota Police Execute Rapid Crackdown on Anti-ICE Protesters Outside Minneapolis Hotel
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — In a swift and coordinated operation, Minnesota law enforcement moved to dismantle a “noise demonstration” outside a prominent Minneapolis hotel on Wednesday night, leading to dozens of arrests as tensions over federal immigration enforcement reach a boiling point.
The crackdown occurred outside the Graduate by Hilton in the Stadium Village neighborhood, where protesters had gathered to condemn the alleged lodging of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The operation, characterized by a rapid “kettling” maneuver, signaled a shift toward more assertive crowd-control tactics as state and federal leadership remain locked in a high-stakes standoff.
🚔 The Midnight Crackdown: “You Are Under Arrest”
The protest, which began around 8:00 p.m. as a peaceful but loud demonstration featuring airhorns, drums, and chanting, was declared an “unlawful assembly” by 10:00 p.m. after authorities cited violations of city noise ordinances.
The Kettling Maneuver
Video captured by independent journalist Brendan Gutenschwager showed Minnesota State Patrol and University of Minnesota police officers forming a rigid line and surrounding the demonstrators on a single street block.
- The Command: “All individuals: You are under arrest. Please sit down,” a commanding officer was heard saying over a loudspeaker.
- Compliance: Dozens of protesters immediately sat on the pavement, many raising their hands in the air as they were zip-tied by officers.
- The “Blue Buses”: Following the arrests, protesters were led to a line of blue buses with bars on the windows. Observers on the ground reported that the efficiency of the arrests suggested a high degree of pre-planning between local and state agencies.
🏛️ Political Context: The Homan-Walz Negotiations
The police action comes at a critical juncture in Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration’s massive immigration enforcement effort in the Twin Cities.
Leadership Shuffle
Just days prior, President Trump dispatched Border Czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to replace Greg Bovino, the Border Patrol commander who had become the lightning rod for criticism following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, by federal agents earlier this month.
The “Cooperation” Ultimatum
In a news conference on Thursday at the Whipple Federal Building, Homan struck a diplomatic but firm tone:
- The Offer: Homan suggested a “drawdown” of the roughly 3,000 federal agents currently in Minnesota.
- The Condition: This reduction is contingent on the full cooperation of Minnesota leadership, specifically demanding that local jails notify ICE of the release dates of undocumented inmates.
- The Stance: “The mission is going to improve because of the changes we’re making,” Homan stated, while warning that there is “zero tolerance” for protesters who impede federal operations.
⚖️ Legal Backlash: “ICE is Not a Law Unto Itself”
While police were clearing the streets, the legal battle intensified in the halls of justice.
- Refugee Detentions Blocked: On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge John Tunheim issued a temporary order blocking the Trump administration from detaining refugees in Minnesota who are awaiting permanent resident status.
- A Rebuked Agency: In a separate, scathing order, Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz criticized ICE for allegedly violating 96 court orders in January 2026 alone.
“ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence,” Schiltz wrote, adding that the court’s patience had reached an end.
📉 Community Impact: A City Under Pressure
The ongoing enforcement and resulting protests have fundamentally altered daily life in Minneapolis:
- Economic Disruption: Major corporations including Target and Best Buy have joined calls for de-escalation, citing concerns over worker safety and economic stability.
- Education: Several schools have transitioned to remote learning or gone into “lockdown” mode during active federal sweeps.
- Local Law Enforcement: Minneapolis officials report that the city has already spent over $2 million in police overtime this month solely responding to federal immigration activity and protests.
