Armed Federal Raids Are Becoming Normal in Minnesota
Restoring Democracy’s Promise on Operation Metro Surge and the future of constitutional governance.
The following is a statement from Restoring Democracy's Promise regarding the federal immigration operation in Minnesota. We're publishing this because what's happening in the Twin Cities right now—and the questions it raises about constitutional limits, accountability, and how power gets deployed against communities—matters far beyond Minnesota.
Restoring Democracy’s Promise stands in solidarity with Minnesota families and communities impacted by the ongoing federal immigration operation widely referred to as “Operation Metro Surge.” In recent weeks, Minnesota officials and local leaders have described an “unprecedented surge” of armed, masked DHS personnel—including ICE and CBP—conducting raids and stops across the Twin Cities region.
We are especially mindful of the death of Renee Good, a U.S. citizen who—according to Minnesota and city officials—was shot and killed by a DHS agent on January 7, 2026. Our condolences are with her family and everyone grieving a loss that never should have happened.
On January 12, 2026, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison—alongside the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul—filed suit seeking to halt the surge, alleging constitutional and administrative-law violations and describing widespread community disruption (school lockdowns/closures, businesses closing, and diverted local public-safety resources).
Minneapolis officials also report significant strain on city resources, including more than 3,000 hours of police overtime by January 9 and an estimated $2 million cost for a short early-January period.
No matter one’s views on immigration policy, constitutional policing standards and due process are not optional. This statement does not argue open borders or closed borders. It argues due process, clear authority, and restraint. Community-wide tactics that produce fear, confusion, and preventable violence erode trust and invite exactly the kind of civic breakdown that extremists exploit.
Minnesota residents should not have to wonder whether what they are witnessing is law enforcement—or the collapse of lawful limits.
We call for:
An independent, transparent investigation into Renee Good’s death and any use-of-force incidents connected to the operation.
Strict compliance with constitutional limits and clear public guidance prohibiting unlawful stops, retaliatory enforcement, and intimidation of bystanders and lawful protest.
Immediate public accounting of operational scope, cost burdens shifted to local governments, and the policies governing enforcement at sensitive locations.
Minnesota deserves safety, accountability, and humane governance—not fear as public policy.
Restoring Democracy’s Promise
Editorial Office — restoring-democracy.org
Media: press@restoring-democracy.org | Signal Tipline @restoringdemocracy.27
I appreciate the response. If you're willing, let's try to make this very specific instead of academic.
In your mind, what are the specific actions that you're talking about? And how do you categorize them? i.e., illegal, unethical, immorral? I'm curious to understand what you see as the origin action. What started it?
The most important statement in this article is the concern about: "Community-wide tactics that produce fear, confusion, and preventable violence."
An honest conversation hinges on which "tactics" you're concerned about and which ones you are willing to overlook or explain away.