Minneapolis Activists Share Tactics Against ICE Operations Nationwide

Activists in Minneapolis are disseminating their methods for countering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations to like-minded groups across the United States. Their strategy involves deploying whistles and cameras as soon as an ICE operation is detected in a neighborhood, aiming to document and potentially disrupt enforcement actions.

Sarah Stephens, who leads a local Minneapolis group, described their actions as "harassing them, but within the bounds of the law." The engagement began in December when federal border patrol, led by ICE, arrived in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area to fulfill President Trump's campaign promise of deporting undocumented immigrants.

The White House cited concerns over fraud cases, particularly involving Somalis, as justification for the deployment, stating that immigration police would apprehend and deport "fraudsters, murderers, rapists, and gang members." However, city leadership had previously expressed opposition to such initiatives.

Stephens, who works in the music industry and is active with the democracy organization League of Women Voters, explained that a grassroots movement called Defend 612 was formed in response. This movement aims to counter federal immigration enforcement actions within the city, employing tactics designed to increase transparency and accountability.

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We harassed them, but within the bounds of the law