January 2026: The Trump Administration Sent 2,000 Federal Agents To Minnesota For The “Largest Immigration Operation Ever.” According to PBS News, "The Trump administration has launched what officials describe as the largest federal immigration enforcement operation ever carried out, preparing to deploy as many as 2,000 federal agents and officers to the Minneapolis area for a sweeping crackdown tied in part to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents. The surge dramatically expands the federal law enforcement footprint in Minnesota amid heightened political and community tensions. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons, during an interview with Newsmax, called the crackdown the agency's ‘largest immigration operation ever.’" [PBS News, 1/6/26]
HEADLINE: “Immigration Agents Deploy Tear Gas, Pepper Spray In Minneapolis As Confrontations With Protesters Grow” [NBC News, 1/13/26]
HEADLINE: “Minneapolis Couple Says ICE Released Tear Gas Under Their Family Vehicle With 6 Children Inside” [CBS News, 1/16/26]
HEADLINE: “Union Workers Protest Outside Pete Stauber’s Office, Urge Action On ICE Impact” [Northern News Now, 2/12/26]
1/7/26: In Response To ICE Shooting And Killing Renee Good, Stauber Blamed Twin Cities Politicians’ “Hateful Rhetoric” About Law Enforcement. According to KARE 11, "Minnesota's elected officials are reacting to the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman by ICE agents Wednesday, appearing to divide along party lines as to whether it's believed the act was justified. While the Department of Homeland Security maintained the woman attempted to ram her car into ICE agents before an agent shot and killed her, several representatives across the state called the narrative false. Video from the incident also appears to dispute the claim. […] Minnesota Rep. Pete Stauber (R): ‘When Twin Cities politicians spew hateful rhetoric about our law enforcement for months, it gives their constituencies permission to violently attack my brothers and sisters in uniform. ‘The events of today are the result. Minnesotans deserve leadership that respects the rule of law and encourages deescalation and cooperation.’" [KARE 11 (NBC), 1/7/26]
1/25/26: Stauber Said Minnesota Had Become A “Tinder Box” Because Twin Cities Politicians Had Urged People To “Interfere” With Law Enforcement Operations. According to a post on Rep. Pete Stauber’s Twitter, “Above all, I urge everyone, including elected leaders and the citizens we represent, to do their part in lowering the temperature so we can avoid further escalation. Yesterday's tragedy is something no one wants to see happening in Minnesota or anywhere else. As in all law enforcement incidents where lethal force was used, a full investigation will ensue. None of us should rush to judgment or fan the flames until all the facts are known and that investigation is concluded. The reality is that Minneapolis has become a tinder box. This is in large part because, rather than cooperate with legitimate law enforcement operations, Twin Cities politicians are urging people to interfere with them. This is placing our officers under immense pressure and creating a more volatile situation for everyone." [Twitter, @RepPeteStauber, 1/25/26]
Stauber Defended A Continued Immigration Crackdown In Minnesota, But Wanted To See A “Peaceful Path Forward.” According to a post on Rep. Pete Stauber’s Twitter, "When law enforcement agencies cooperate at all levels, public safety increases. I am praying for all of our leaders—national, state and local—to rise above and find a peaceful path forward. Working together, we can rid our streets of the most violent and dangerous criminals who are in our country illegally and keep Minnesotans safe." [Twitter, @RepPeteStauber, 1/25/26]
HEADLINE: “‘These Are People’s Livelihoods’: Minnesota’s Economy In Crisis Amid ICE Surge” [Guardian, 2/10/26]
HEADLINE: “Minneapolis Businesses Are Struggling To Survive In Trump’s Crackdown—But They’re Banding Together To Fight” [Time Magazine, 2/6/26]
The President Of Main Street Alliance Claimed Sales Were Plummeting At Minnesota Businesses Because Customers And Staff Were Staying Home Due To Fear Of ICE Confrontations. According to CNBC, "Minneapolis’ small businesses were vulnerable even before December, says Richard Trent, executive director of the Main Street Alliance, a nationwide small-business network. Businesses, some of which survived the Covid-19 pandemic and George Floyd protests, had to recalibrate their business models due to U.S. tariffs on imported goods and federal cuts to Medicaid funding, he says. Now, with customers and staff members alike staying at home — concerned about witnessing violence or being arrested themselves — sales are plummeting and businesses are running out of cash to pay for their expenses, says Trent." [CNBC, 1/28/26]
HEADLINE: “ICE Presence Threatens Small Business In Minneapolis And Minnesota, Some Owners Say: ‘I Can Hardly Do My Normal Job’” [CNBC, 1/28/26]