US Pentagon orders troops to prepare for potential Minnesota deployment

Al JazeeraEN 4 min read 100% complete by Lyndal RowlandsJanuary 19, 2026 at 03:46 AM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

The Pentagon has ordered approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska to prepare for potential deployment to Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. This follows ongoing protests against federal immigration raids conducted by roughly 3,000 ICE agents in the area. The protests were sparked by the death of a Minneapolis resident and mother, Renee Nicole Good. The Department of Homeland Security reported that a federal officer shot a Venezuelan man in the leg during the raids, and ICE stated that a Nicaraguan man died in their custody after being arrested in Minneapolis. The military is reportedly prepared to execute orders from the Commander-in-Chief if called upon.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Reuters 40% Associated Press 40% Sean Parnell 50% Alaska ×250% Victor Manuel Diaz 60% Army’s 11th Airborne Division 60% United States 70% Pentagon ×280% Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ×680% St Paul ×380% Minneapolis ×790% Minnesota ×490%

Keywords

immigration raids 90% protests 80% ice 80% military deployment 70% minnesota 70% federal agents 60% department of homeland security 50% arctic specialist troops 50% ice detention 40%