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In January 2026, Minnesota has become the epicenter of a harrowing federal enforcement surge known as Operation Metro Surge, an unprecedented occupation that has transformed the Twin Cities into a militarized zone. An estimated 3,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents have been deployed, a number nearly five times the size of the City of Minneapolis’s 600 person police force. What was framed as a targeted immigration operation has escalated into a widespread human rights crisis, marked by the fatal shootings of two residents— Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti -- by federal agents. The League of Women Voters strongly opposes this occupation. LWV UMRR Vice-Chair Sheila Weigman lives in Minneapolis; here's her first hand-account:
There is deep sadness with the loss of life, injustices in how people are treated, and the methods used. It’s hard for me to believe this is our country! The ICE campaign is out of proportion to the problem and unnecessarily harsh in Minnesota. While there is tension, questioning, and fear in Minneapolis, an overwhelming sense of community, too, is present, with protesters sharing our feelings and beliefs. Folks are caring for each other by watching out for each other, providing for food, transportation, and other needs, making sure our kids get to school and back, and praying together. Networks of communication and distribution have developed. We are the city that lost George Floyd and our innocence, recovering with new understandings for the police and people here. Compassion and the good works are apparent and provide ease to some of what often feels outrageous. Minnesota Strong, Minnesota Kind! - Sheila Wiegman, LWV UMRR Vice Chair and Minneapolis Resident Take Action: LWV MN and LWV US encourage voters to defend our communities and our democracy Operation Metro Surge has brought violent, indiscriminate enforcement tactics into our communities—eroding trust, endangering lives, and undermining constitutional rights. At the same time, federal demands for access to Minnesota’s voter registration data in exchange for federal cooperation should alarm people of all political affiliations. In moments like this, silence is not neutral. We need our elected leaders to hear from us, loudly and clearly. We invite League members to take action by contacting state legislators and urging them to stand firm in defense of civil liberties, community safety, voter privacy, and the freedom to participate in our democracy without fear or intimidation. Your voice matters—now is the time to use it. You can start here: LWV Minneapolis: The League of Women Voters of Minneapolis has a robust website with extensive resources relating to the ICE occupation - check it out at the button below. LWV Minnesota: LWV's actions are based on our positions, which are approved by the membership through a consensus process. Following are LWV positions relating to immigration: Supporting statements from League of Women Voters: Due Process
Stay Minnesota Strong, Minnesota Kind:
Immigration is stitched into the very fabric of this country, with most of us being immigrants who live alongside and with the land’s Tribal Nations. The Twin Cities is a mosaic of diverse, valued communities living on ancestral Dakota and Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) land. But the alarming xenophobia being carried out in our names, including neighbors and friends deported without due process or accountability, goes against that fact and against the social, cultural, and economic benefit of the United States and the hearts of Minnesotans. The League of Women Voters believes in a reformed immigration system that should promote reunification of immediate families; meet the economic, business, and employment needs of the United States; and be responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises. We believe that change can start in our own backyard by standing with our neighbors in this moment. Stay Minnesota strong, stay Minnesota kind. Comments are closed.
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