Federal immigration agents executed a controversial operation in the Powderhorn neighborhood of Minneapolis on January 13, 2026. The operation led to the detention of three individuals, including one woman who was forcibly removed from her car.
Community Response to ICE Tactics
Residents quickly organized a response after immigration agents began door-knocking in the area around E. 34th Street and Park Avenue. By 10 a.m., more than 100 observers had gathered to confront the agents.
Incidents During the Operation
- A woman was removed from her vehicle after agents broke her passenger-side window.
- She was reportedly on her way to a doctor’s appointment and argued with the agents before being detained.
- Another observer was tackled to the ground and put into an ICE vehicle.
State Representative Aisha Gomez, who was at the scene, described aggressive tactics used by the ICE agents. According to her, agents displayed unprofessional behavior, including physical confrontations with both her and other community members.
Andy Larson, a resident, witnessed one of the observers kick an ICE vehicle’s taillight. That individual was subsequently tackled by agents but managed to escape.
Use of Chemical Agents
Throughout the operation, ICE deployed chemical irritants against the gathered crowd. Eyewitness accounts report agents firing pepper balls and canisters of tear gas as they left the area.
- Moses Wolf stated that the situation did not escalate beyond verbal confrontations.
- Eyewitness Neph Sudduth noted that agents threw tear gas canisters as they were leaving.
These aggressive tactics by federal agents have stirred significant unrest within the community. Residents view these methods as overreach and a violation of their rights.
Growing Federal Presence
The Powderhorn operation is part of a broader increase in federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota. Reports indicate the presence of about 2,000 federal agents, with an additional 1,000 expected to be deployed.
Representative Gomez emphasized the need for community resilience in the face of aggressive immigration tactics. Despite physical confrontation and the use of chemical agents, she assured that the community remains steadfast in their opposition.
“Our community is undeterred,” Gomez affirmed. “We won’t just lay down. You can gas us and mace us, but we will continue to stand up.”
As concerns mount about the actions of ICE, community members plan to increase their vigilance and response to immigration enforcement in their neighborhoods.
