Minnesota gears up for anti-immigration enforcement protest Friday despite dangerous cold

On January 18, 2026, hundreds of anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis, Minnesota, confronted and dispersed a small group of far-right demonstrators led by Jake Lang. Lang, who was pardoned for his involvement in the January 6th insurrection, organized an "anti-fraud" rally near City Hall, promoting anti-Islam, anti-Somali, and pro-ICE sentiments. The counter-protest occurred amid heightened tensions in the city following the death of a local woman by a federal agent and the shooting of a Venezuelan immigrant. While Lang claimed to have been stabbed during a scuffle, police stated that no official reports of injuries related to the protests were filed. The protests are part of ongoing demonstrations against increased immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities.

A pro-ICE rally organized by far-right activist Jake Lang in Minneapolis on Saturday was overwhelmed by hundreds of counterprotesters. Lang, who previously received clemency for January 6th-related charges, planned the demonstration to protest immigration policies and express anti-Islam and anti-Somali sentiments. The counterprotesters outnumbered Lang's supporters, disrupting the rally and chasing them away, with Lang reportedly sustaining injuries. Minnesota's National Guard was mobilized by Governor Tim Walz to support law enforcement and ensure peaceful assembly, though they were not deployed. The rally occurred amidst ongoing protests in the Twin Cities against increased immigration enforcement by the Department of Homeland Security.

On January 17, 2026, protests and counterprotests erupted in Minneapolis over the Trump administration's immigration policies. The events, centered around a "March Against Minnesota Fraud" rally near City Hall organized by conservative influencer Jake Lang, saw heated clashes between opposing sides before police arrived. Lang was chased off by counterprotesters. One of Lang's supporters was injured. The protests also highlighted the case of a Liberian man who fled civil war as a child and expressed fear of leaving his home after being detained and released during the immigration crackdown.

Around 1,500 soldiers in Alaska are on standby for potential deployment to Minneapolis amid ongoing anti-ICE demonstrations. The possible deployment is an option for the US president, though no decision has been made. The protests were sparked by recent ICE activity and the death of Renee Good, who was shot by an ICE agent earlier this month. A federal judge has limited crowd control tactics that ICE agents can use against peaceful protesters. Minnesota's National Guard has been mobilized, and other law enforcement officers have been deployed to Minneapolis in anticipation of further demonstrations.

In January 2026, President Donald Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy troops to Minnesota in response to ongoing protests in Minneapolis. The protests were triggered by two shootings involving federal agents within a week. The first shooting resulted in the death of Renee Good, a US citizen, by an ICE agent, while the second involved an ICE agent wounding a Venezuelan man. Trump accused Minnesota politicians of failing to control "agitators" and defended ICE's actions related to his immigration crackdown. The situation escalated with federal officers using tear gas against protesters who responded with rocks and fireworks.

An ICE agent shot a man in the leg in Minneapolis, prompting protests and calls for ICE to leave the city. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the agent was pursuing the man, who was allegedly in the US illegally, when an altercation occurred. The DHS claims the agent fired in self-defense after being "attacked" by the man and two others, who are now in custody. The FBI is investigating the incident. This shooting follows the recent death of a woman shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last week, which is also under FBI investigation. Minneapolis city officials and the mayor have condemned the shootings and the presence of ICE in the city, accusing them of creating chaos.

Federal immigration agents shot a man in Minneapolis on Wednesday evening during an enforcement action, amid heightened tensions following the recent killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent. The shooting occurred around 7 p.m. local time, with witnesses reporting the use of smoke and flash bombs by federal agents. According to sources, the man was shot in the leg and survived. The Department of Homeland Security stated that the agents were conducting a traffic stop of a Venezuelan national who resisted and attacked them, prompting a defensive shot. This incident follows increased scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement tactics in Minneapolis, including allegations of aggressive crowd control and disputed claims surrounding the previous shooting of Good.

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, protests have erupted following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent. The incident, which occurred days prior to the news report, involved the death of a US citizen. Protesters have been confronting federal agents, expressing their anger and demanding answers regarding the shooting. Demonstrations have continued around the city, resulting in arrests of some protesters. The events are unfolding as of January 13, 2026, the date of the news report. The protests highlight tensions between the community and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the wake of the deadly shooting.

Tensions are high in Minnesota following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer, sparking nationwide protests against immigration raids. Demonstrations have occurred in multiple cities, including Minneapolis and St. Cloud, with federal agents using tear gas to disperse protesters. In response to the escalating situation, the state of Minnesota, along with Minneapolis and St. Paul, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging violations of the First Amendment and challenging the surge of over 2,000 immigration officers into the state. Homeland Security defends the enforcement operation, citing public safety concerns and claiming over 2,000 arrests since December, while maintaining that the officer acted in self-defense. The lawsuit aims to halt or limit the federal crackdown.

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, in January 2026, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents increased arrests, leading to clashes with protesters. These events occurred days after an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Good. In response to a planned surge of immigration agents in the state, Minnesota officials filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit aims to block the deployment, with state officials claiming it is unlawful. The legal action and protests highlight escalating tensions between the state and federal government regarding immigration enforcement.

Federal agents in Minneapolis used tear gas and eye irritants against protesters on Tuesday amid rising tensions over immigration enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its "largest operation in DHS history," deploying hundreds of Customs and Border Protection agents to supplement the existing Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence, totaling approximately 2,800 agents. This surge coincided with the resignation of several federal prosecutors protesting the Justice Department's decision not to investigate the killing of Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration agent. Minnesota and two mayors are seeking a court order to suspend the operation. A judge is also considering restricting the use of force by agents against those observing and recording their activities, with a ruling expected soon. Students in Brooklyn Park and other communities walked out of school to protest the immigration enforcement operation.

Minnesota, along with Minneapolis and St. Paul, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in January 2026 to halt a hardline immigration enforcement operation. The lawsuit, accompanied by a request for a restraining order, was prompted by what local officials described as a "federal invasion" involving thousands of immigration agents and the deployment of additional Border Patrol officers. The state Attorney General alleges constitutional violations, including excessive force, warrantless arrests, and targeting of sensitive locations. The legal action follows protests sparked by the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis mother of three by an ICE agent during the operation. The Department of Homeland Security characterizes the deployment as its largest enforcement operation in history.