The ICE raids are over, but some Minnesotans say they still live in fear
The ICE raids are over, but some Minnesotans say they still live in fear
The ICE raids are over but some - Though the operation concluded months ago, its influence remains palpable. Aliah, a 20-year-old student in Minnesota, fled Afghanistan in 2021 and secured asylum in the U.S., hoping to build a life focused on education and work. Yet earlier this year, during Operation Metro Surge, federal immigration agents swept through the Minneapolis region, upending her sense of security. "We’re still a little scared," she told the BBC, revealing her identity after verifying it through safety checks. Her family worries the immigration enforcement could return, leaving them no escape if they face persecution in their home country.
The Origins of Operation Metro Surge
Launched in December 2021 as part of President Donald Trump’s broader strategy to target undocumented immigrants, the initiative was tied to a federal fraud investigation. The probe highlighted issues in Minnesota’s childcare sector, with officials claiming the Somali community was heavily involved. However, the operation gained national attention after agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens—Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both 37—during separate protests in January 2022. This sparked widespread criticism, prompting the administration to withdraw hundreds of agents by late February.
A Community Still in Shadows
Even as federal presence in the city waned, lingering effects persisted. Fatima, a 19-year-old Somali refugee, returned to in-person high school in April 2022, but her anxiety hasn’t faded. "I ask myself every day… if they come back, what are you going to do?" she said, reflecting the ongoing fear among many. Michelle Eberhard, director of refugee services at the International Institute of Minnesota, noted that "people continue to experience the aftermath of such actions for years." The trauma, economic strain, and uncertainty about legal status remain deeply rooted.
Katie, a Minneapolis teacher, described the chaos during the operation’s peak. Masked agents from ICE and CBP patrolled streets, raided homes, and detained thousands, disrupting daily life. Her school organized aid efforts to support affected students, who often stayed home to avoid risk. By April, the program ended, but funds were still distributed. "The city feels like a minefield of ghosts," Katie said, pointing to memorials for Pretti and Good as reminders of the operation’s human toll.
Despite the pullback, federal agents remain active. A March lawsuit revealed 482 agents are still stationed in Minnesota, per ACLU-MN records. Additionally, around 190 officers worked in the St Paul office before the operation began. Border Czar Tom Homan emphasized that targeted enforcement, like that conducted for decades, would continue. ICE, however, maintains it doesn’t release operational details publicly. The presence of agents, especially in rural areas, continues to shape the lives of those living in fear.
"When you have an invasion like this, people continue to experience the ramifications of that for a long time," said Michelle Eberhard.
A memorial for Alex Pretti stands at the site where he was killed, a physical reminder of the operation’s impact. For many, the threat of sudden raids and arrests still looms, even as life begins to stabilize. The story of Minnesota’s immigrant community underscores how fear can outlast enforcement actions, leaving lasting scars on individuals and families.