The fatal shooting of a U.S. civilian by a federal immigration agent and the deployment of thousands of immigration officers have heightened tensions in Minneapolis, culminating in confrontations between anti-ICE protesters and a small group of far-right activists over the weekend.
Hundreds of demonstrators opposed to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement gathered near Minneapolis City Hall on Saturday, calling for the removal of ICE and U.S. Border Patrol agents from the city.
The protest came 10 days after Renee Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, was shot dead by an ICE agent during an encounter that has sparked public outrage and political fallout.
The anti-ICE protesters, many carrying placards and chanting slogans, moved quickly toward a group of about 10 far-right demonstrators who had vowed to march through a neighborhood home to many immigrants.
The far-right group was soon forced against the exterior of the municipal government center, prompting police to closely monitor the situation.
According to Reuters, Police maintained their distance as the opposing sides shouted at one another, although brief scuffles were reported.
Roughly an hour after the rallies began, the far-right demonstrators abandoned their plans and retreated several blocks to a hotel.
They were pursued by hundreds of anti-ICE protesters who yelled insults and demanded they leave Minneapolis.
Police later said surveillance footage showed some individuals who appeared to be injured during the unrest, but officers were unable to locate them as they left before contact could be made.
The anti-ICE demonstration was organized by the People’s Action Coalition Against Trump, which said the rally was meant to support immigrant communities under pressure from federal enforcement.
Protesters said fear has spread in immigrant neighborhoods since the arrival of thousands of agents.
“We’re here to support our Somali neighbors; they asked for their white allies to show up for them,” said Laura, 56, who withheld her surname over concerns of federal retaliation.
“My neighbors can’t come out. They’re too afraid to leave their house.”
The protests unfolded against the backdrop of an intensified federal immigration operation.
About 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol agents have been deployed across Minneapolis and St. Paul in recent weeks, a move President Donald Trump has defended by pointing to allegations of misuse of federal social welfare funds in Minnesota.
The administration has repeatedly referenced the state’s Somali immigrant community in its rhetoric.
The shooting of Good has sharpened divisions between the Trump administration and Minnesota’s Democratic leaders.
While the Department of Homeland Security said the ICE agent fired after being struck by Good’s vehicle and fearing for his life, video footage has raised questions about that account.
The Justice Department has since opened investigations into Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, further escalating the dispute.
