Governor Tim Walz today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem urging her to review and respond to multiple arrests of United States citizens by federal agents during U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minneapolis.

“This series of incidents raises serious concerns about civil liberties and trust between Minnesota communities and federal authorities,” said Governor Walz. “Minnesotans have long valued civic engagement, and detaining citizens for lawfully exercising those rights or going about their daily lives sends a deeply disturbing message. I am urging Secretary Noem to respect the constitution and for her administration to ensure that federal operations are conducted lawfully and with respect for the rights of all individuals.”

According to reports, some citizens were asked to move back from the scene of ICE operations. When they declined, they were physically pushed, handcuffed, transported to federal facilities, and held in isolation for hours. In other instances, citizens walking through their neighborhoods were chased, tackled, handcuffed, and detained despite repeatedly stating that they are U.S. citizens and offering to show identification.

In his letter, Governor Walz called on Secretary Noem to immediately review these arrests, place any federal agents who acted unlawfully on administrative leave, clarify the legal standard under which citizen observers may document the overly aggressive enforcement tactics being deployed by ICE, ensure ICE agents in Minnesota receive guidance on respecting the civil rights of U.S. citizens and residents, and reassess the broader “surge” enforcement strategy.

The Governor encourages Minnesotans to continue exercising their rights safely and lawfully. Residents are urged to remain calm, avoid escalation, and when it is safe and lawful, record and document interactions with federal enforcement. Observing and recording from a safe distance supports transparency and helps hold ICE accountable.

The full text of the Governor’s letter is below.

The Honorable Kristi Noem
Secretary of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
3801 Nebraska Ave NW
Washington, DC 20528

Dear Secretary Noem,

The forcefulness, lack of communication, and unlawful practices displayed by your agents will not be tolerated in Minnesota. I write today with serious concern regarding the multiple arrests of United States citizens during recent ICE operations in Minneapolis. Reports indicate that some citizens were documenting federal activity, while others were going about their daily lives.

This troubling pattern raises serious concerns, not only about due process and the rights of U.S. citizens, but also about trust between Minnesota communities and federal authorities. According to documented accounts, Sue was asked to move back from the scene; when she declined, she was physically pushed, handcuffed, transported to a federal facility, held in isolation for hours, and told she would be charged with “obstruction.” Mubashir was chased, tackled, handcuffed, and detained despite repeatedly stating his citizenship and offering to show identification.

Minnesota has long stood as a place where civic engagement and community oversight are valued. Residents who document law-enforcement activity, including immigration enforcement, play an essential role in transparency, accountably, and safeguarding the civil liberties of all in Minnesota. Detaining citizens for exercising these rights sends a deeply disturbing signal about how those very rights are being eroded.

Considering the serious constitutional and humanitarian implications, I urge you to take the following actions:

1. Immediately review the circumstances surrounding all recent arrests and whether agents possessed a judicial warrant authorizing detention, search, or seizure at the location in question. Any federal agents that acted unlawfully should immediately be placed on administrative leave.
2. Clarify, publicly and directly, the legal standard under which citizen observers may exercise their rights to document and bear witness to the aggressive federal law-enforcement actions, particularly in public spaces.
3. Ensure that ICE agents operating in Minnesota receive clear guidance and training on respecting the civil rights of U.S. citizens and residents, regardless of appearance or immigration status, before conducting raids, detentions, or arrests.
4. Reassess the broader “surge” enforcement strategy.

Our state’s safety and community trust depend not only on effective law enforcement, but on justice, fairness, and respect for civil liberties. We cannot allow public trust to be further damaged by detaining citizens under unclear or questionable circumstances.

Sincerely,

Tim Walz
Governor of Minnesota