Things are Bad in Minnesota

An Eyewitness Report from Minneapolis

Q&A with Judy Lear, Former President of Gray Panthers NYC

As federal immigration enforcement operations intensify in Minneapolis — including multiple fatal shootings involving border agents — daily life for many immigrant and undocumented residents has become fraught with fear and uncertainty.

GPNYC: What is the current atmosphere in Minneapolis?

Judy: Businesses here are choosing to close voluntarily because owners and employees fear potential ICE activity in the area.

GPNYC: Have you personally seen any ICE actions?

Judy: I know people whose car windows were smashed during encounters with ICE agents — situations that have left neighbors shaken and reluctant to go out.

GPNYC: How afraid are local residents?

Judy: Some of my neighbors — including families from Brazil — have delayed their return to Minneapolis because they’re afraid of ICE enforcement showing up at homes or on the streets.

GPNYC: Have you taken any action in response?

Judy: Yes — I completed community watch training, and I am part of a growing group of residents mobilizing together to monitor and respond to community safety concerns.

Context for Readers

In recent weeks, Minneapolis has seen a surge of federal immigration enforcement activity, sometimes referred to as Operation Metro Surge, deployed by the Department of Homeland Security. This effort has been accompanied by several violent incidents, including the fatal shootings of Minneapolis residents by federal agents — most recently Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, and earlier Renée Good — which have drawn large protests and widespread criticism.

These events have reverberated through immigrant and undocumented communities, influencing business decisions, public participation in daily routines, and residents’ sense of security and belonging.