Minnesota — January 5 to February 27, 2026
Enforcement Tactics
A breakdown of tactics used by ICE, DHS, and cooperating agencies across Minnesota, drawn from 10,753 community-submitted reports. Each tactic is explained with real examples from the data.
Loitering
5,091Stationary surveillance: agents parked in vehicles for extended periods observing an area or specific location.
The most commonly reported tactic. Agents parked unmarked vehicles for extended periods — outside homes, in parking lots, near schools, and at bus stops — watching and waiting. Vehicles typically had blacked-out windows, no front license plates, and out-of-state plates.
From the reports
Black Yukon with no front plate running with window open in parking lot behind Davanni's. All windows blacked out. Appears to be masked agent in drivers seat.
Cars in the lots have license plates verified via videos from Minneapolis operations.
Couldn’t see them very well they had tinted windows
CUTTERS GROVE APTS ANOKA, 3 generic similar looking white SUVs idling, tinted windows. Have never seen them before. Appears to be a stakeout. Unable to get clear picture of inside vehicles or license plate to avoid getting their attention.
Driving erratically through the Eden Prairie target parking lot. He literally drove around the parking lot for a second and spit off when I started taking pictures of his car and went the same direction he had came from when he entered the parking lot and stopped using turn signa
Surveillance
3,704Active monitoring including patrols, following individuals, and use of cameras or scanning equipment.
Agents actively patrolled neighborhoods, followed individuals, used license plate readers, and recorded community members on their phones. Some reports described agents recording protesters and observers.
From the reports
I saw at least 2 ice vehicles going south on Burnsville County 42, on direction to Savage or similar, everyone be careful ( I didn’t have time to take a proper picture apologize about it)
ICE in the cub food parking lot. Two dodge chargers. Blacked out windows. California plate and MN plate. A 3rd one left turning into cabelas. Couldn't get a picture but it was a sky blue bronco or wagoneer with California plates as well.
ICE patrol. Black ford SUV. Stopped for a few minutes on W. Robie. Didn’t make it outside in time to get a clear shot of the license plate as they drove off. ICE / BP have been passing through slowly patrolling the past few days, earlier in the week they were recklessly speeding
ICE agents pulled me over at Avana West Park, asking for Alvaro Florez Villareal.
I was pulling up to go into El Hornito Super Mercado and saw two I.C.E agent cars. Not sure how many agents there are but they both had Texas License Plates. I didnt want to risk it so i turned around and went home.
Arrest
1,089Observed apprehensions where an individual was removed from their location by agents. Does not imply lawfulness or criminal charge.
An individual was taken into custody by agents. These are apprehensions as reported by community observers and may reflect civil immigration detention, not criminal arrest. Some involved physical force, broken car windows, or agents pursuing people on foot. Reports have not been independently verified.
From the reports
Arrestos a adolescentes Arrests of teenagers
Blue Mitsubishi Outlander and a burgundy Dodge Ram left abandoned on the side of the road. Not sure how many agents were in the White Durango but I know it had California plates.
Arrestaron 3 personas, deteniendo autos fuera de Riva Ridge Apartments Three people were arrested after cars were stopped outside Riva Ridge Apartments.
Parent was taken from child’s bus stop in front of school bus full of children. Communication sent to district staff and families.
Ice undercover vehicles with plates such as Texas, California, Wisconsin, Iowa, and more. Didn’t have time to write down license numbers but I’m 100% sure. they are asking staff questions and eating in the restaurants, and patrolling the building as they come in and out of their
Raid
1,023Multi-agent, multi-vehicle operations targeting specific addresses or locations.
Coordinated enforcement operations targeting specific locations — often with multiple vehicles and many agents, sometimes using battering rams or forced entry. Raids occurred at homes, businesses, construction sites, and apartment complexes.
From the reports
5 confirmed ice vehicles stalking business repeatedly over the last 20 mins. They leave then come back all out of state mixed type vehicles
Officers are recording the license plates of the cars.
2 vehicles with 2 agents per vehicle. Ford explorer and Chevy impala.
Multiple Threads reports of new ICE HQ on 3rd & 4th floors of Gateway building.
Muchas patrullas alrededor de San Luis Park Burger King, enfrente de la Kohl’s Many police patrols around San Luis Park Burger King, across from Kohl's
Questioning
878Stops where agents demanded identification or questioned individuals about their immigration status.
Agents stopped and questioned individuals — asking for identification, immigration documents, or information about others. This occurred at traffic stops, on sidewalks, outside businesses, and at bus stops.
From the reports
-3 ICE vehicles and unknown number of agents sitting in wells fargo parking lot -2 Agents walked up to my friend’s car and asked if he was a citizen and if he had proof of such (which he did) -Located at the wells fargo on lyndale ave S -Wearing Khaki pants and vests on top with
Personas caminando lo vieron y ganaron People walking by saw it and won.
Two cars of agents stopping a cleaning crew. Chased away by neighbors. Also reports of their convey stopping at both Hale and Field elementary and middle schools.
Someone sent me this pic of many ICE vehicles in this neighborhood.
6 agentes detuvieron un carro Six officers stopped a car
Staging
850Pre-operation coordination: agents gathering or preparing before moving on a target.
Agents were observed gathering, coordinating, or preparing for operations — meeting in parking lots, switching vehicles, reviewing maps, or staging near a target before moving in.
From the reports
Agents pulled up to two houses, detained 4 people.
Suspected ICE officer in a Gray Ford Escape with no front plate circling the area numerous times. Was able to get behind vehicle to read plate 9CU81, unable to get picture because they drove away.
Saw a big gray suv full of ice agents turning into the mobile homes! I was driving on century Ave as saw them
Unable to get a picture, but there is a white Durango in the parking lot & there is a wagoner patrolling the area. There is car alarms going off but do not know how many agents are there, nor do not what they’re wearing. Please stay safe!!!
Needs verification from eyes on the ground
Checkpoint
618Reported vehicle stops, roadblocks, and points where agents stopped traffic to question drivers.
Agents set up vehicle stops or checkpoints on roads, highways, or at intersections — stopping cars and demanding identification or immigration documents. These were reported on major highways as well as neighborhood streets.
From the reports
Ice caused a car accident and has people pulled over with guns drawn
2 agents in uniform. sitting in a tinted silver nissan maxima with georgia plates, they left town and joined by a black ford explorer with idaho plates and proceeded to try to box in the vehicle notifying people of their presence on 35w
Ice agents parked behind my moms car. Asked questions. Walking around Oak terrace trailer parks
4 ice vehicles: one van one white Volkswagen one suv one unseen. At least 8 officers in full tactical gear. Took at least one man and one child; possibly more people. Left behind their car had lights like cops but no cops. Pulled man out of driver seat with force and appeared to
Ice agents with somebody pulled over or pulled out of there house and a police car drove by and did nothing. I could he a picture and they were starring at me as I drove by.
Knocking
617Door-to-door activity at private residences and apartment buildings, often early morning.
Agents knocked on the doors of homes and apartment buildings — sometimes presenting themselves as police, sometimes wearing masks, and sometimes attempting to enter without a warrant. Residents were advised not to answer.
From the reports
A ton of Agents walking around. Searching for a man
Ice agents were let into our apartment building by an unknown person at about 3:15 PM on 2/6/26 without a warrant. This is how the conversation went down, They first asked if a certain individual was living in our apartment or building which was replied with a no, as we are on th
Ice agents at Bell Clare Estates. Knocking on doors and stopping people in their vehicles and pulling people out. Putting people in their white van.
I was unable to take a photo, but there are 2 younger males walking around with purple vests knocking on doors saying they are here to talk about the wifi, but I clearly saw police/ice on their gear
Sister passed by on a school bus while picking kids up. And saw a number of agents at someone’s home
Minors Present
810Incidents where minors were present and witnessed or were directly affected by enforcement activity.
Reports where children were present during enforcement operations — at home during door-to-door raids, on school buses, at bus stops, or witnessing a parent's arrest. Several accounts describe children being separated from parents during operations.
From the reports
Arrestaron a una persona en una tienda A person was arrested in a store
This SUV was driving by Westview Elementary just as kids were arriving to school. It flashed a red and blue light on its dash, then started driving incredible dangerously and haphazardly through the neighborhood. It was weaving around cars and school buses with kids walking to sc
At 510 I saw people recording down the street but I couldn’t see the action. I made my delivery and I drove to see what was happening. I am a constitutional observer. I had my badge visible. When we arrived (my husband and I) there was a lady in grey sweatsuit that was speaking t
Two masked men sitting in a small sized SUV (crv or cx-5 class). Unable to photo as they were scoping out every vehicle and person that come into the parking lot
Dos carros. Se llevaron en el momento a 3 personas Two cars. They took 3 people away at the time.
Pursuit
309Active pursuit of individuals by vehicle or on foot, including high-speed chases.
Agents pursued individuals on foot or in vehicles — sometimes running red lights, driving at high speeds, or going the wrong way on roads. Several pursuits ended in car crashes.
From the reports
Ice SUV is with flashing lights, but no sirens running people off the road on Highway seven and then three SUVs boxing in a Penske moving truck and taking out the driver and passenger and putting them in the SUVs.
ICE was parked outside my apartment building and then drove North down Stevens Ave after a cyclist and several (non-ICE) cars followed after the ICE vehicle. They were driving a grey Chevrolet Tahoe with a minnesota license plate that read SRH-490.
4-5 ice officials total in vests in all three of the trucks shown.
Ice was here a couple minutes ago. Protesters were able to successfully block them and they drove down 31st street
business manager claims that ICE chased an employee in
Violence
173Use of physical force, chemical agents, or property damage by agents during operations.
Reports of physical force, including agents breaking car windows, using pepper spray, deploying smoke grenades or tear gas against crowds, physically restraining individuals, and in some cases injuring community members who intervened.
From the reports
Un carro negro con agentes en el interior A black car with agents inside
Ice forced a civilian car to crash violently, pulled her out of the car, did not offer medical assistance.
2 agents trying to kick in a door at 725am.
multiple agents on top of someone arresting
Observer taken, man was pepper sprayed. Journalist were there covering? Tactical gear tan face masks
Joint Operation
395Operations involving coordination between federal agents and local or state law enforcement.
Federal immigration agents operating alongside local or state law enforcement — including police, sheriffs, and state troopers. Community members noted this raised concerns about the role of local police in immigration enforcement.
From the reports
Nicolet blocked off & barricaded from at least 24th and 28th. >5 hummers, some with gun turrets on top. Probably ICE, potential national guard. Over 10 unmarked ICE vehicles and as many MPD. About 20 Armed ICE patrolling.
4 vehicles on right side of Basslake road westbound near Vicksburg intersection - 2 with blue/ red flashing lights, 7-8 masked agents with dark clothes, brown chunky vests labeled in yellow, POLICE visible on some, badge shape visible on another, silver minivan in front, black se
Two pickups, one black and one light, with men in ICE/police vests. Parked by construction area on John Ireland, first noticed about 10am. Also a vehicle with Tennessee plates circling Minnesota History Center parking lot. No photo
5 Agents, dressed in tactical gear. Some wearing Police vests, some wearing ICE vests. They were waiting outside a home on the corner of 5th Ave. there were several vehicles, unmarked.
White male, face fully covered, wearing camo and police vest. Walking around outside of the apartment buildings very slowly.
Drones/Aerial
207Aerial surveillance activity including drone sightings and helicopter activity over residential and commercial areas.
Drones and helicopters were used for aerial surveillance — often circling neighborhoods, mobile home parks, and industrial areas. Some reports described drones flying low over trailer parks before ground operations.
From the reports
USAF helicopter took off ~5pm local time.
Drone spotted over/behind Corepower Yoga flying over neighborhoods near Excelsior Blvd
Not sure if ICE/Police. Been circling Uptown/Bde Maka Ska for 20 minutes now
Helicopter circling around for 20-30 min near 169/36th/Rockford Rd
helicopter has been circling overhead for 10 mins around the springhill suites hotel where bovino may be
Plainclothes
251Agents operating in civilian clothing without visible law enforcement markings.
Agents operating without uniforms or visible insignia — dressed in everyday clothing, sometimes with only a small badge or vest. This made identification difficult for community members trying to distinguish agents from civilians.
From the reports
2 vehicles surrounding a civilian vehicle outside a neighborhood house. Second car rolls down his window and asks camera man “you wanna get caught?
ICE agents had someone pulled over outside of a neighborhood bordering Maple Grove and Roger’s. There were two cars full of agents, one ahead of the civilian’s vehicle and one behind. The civilian had a mask on. All of the agents were outside surrounding the car. All of the agent
Two ICE agents were posted at this location watching the nearby bus stops on the morning of 27 Jan 2026, between the hours of 6-10 am. There were two agents (one male/ one female) in what seem to be plain clothes. This vehicle was coordinating with other ICE vehicles in the area
Plain clothes agent at 282 & TH 169 seen heading toward Valley Green park. Plain clothes no mask. New ICE vehicle identified.
Multiple cars. 8+ agents. patrolling and getting out. yelling at older women. vests. civilians getting yelled at by others “let them do their job”
Sensitive Location
389Enforcement activity near schools, churches, hospitals, and other sensitive community locations.
Operations near or at locations traditionally considered off-limits — including schools, churches, hospitals, and healthcare clinics. Reports documented agents outside elementary schools during drop-off and pickup, near daycare centers, and at medical facilities.
From the reports
DO NOT go to Woodland Hills food shelf or church! DO NOT go to Second Harvest Food Shelf. I'm sorry I do not have photos. I am not able to leave my place of work. STAY ALERT AND STAY HOME!
Local church organization informing the community that ICE is in Teals market in cold spring.
There is ice at the clinic next to McDonald's in Isanti. They are waiting outside for those who are cleaning at the clinic.
Black Chevy pick up truck sitting in back of parking lot backed into a spot at Alina clinic. Car running MN license plate 7AW060. He’s on his phone and looking at computer. Been here for about 15 minutes that I’ve noticed.
There were 5 Ice vehicles staged around this neighborhood and the elementary school, they seem to be watching to bus stops during school kid pick up and drop off. I believe they are trying spook kids/parents so vulnerable parents would expose themselves to make sure their kids ar
Following/Tailing
64Targeted following of specific individuals, including following people home or tracking their movements.
Targeted surveillance of specific individuals — agents following someone home, tracking their movements, or staking out their residence over multiple days. Some individuals reported being followed from workplaces or schools.
From the reports
White Chevy Tahoe parked in church lot near a food shelf. Civilian clothes early 30's with dark beard. Asked him if he needed food. He said no. Asked if he was law enforcement. Hebecame flustered and said no. I pulled up in a position to watch and he pulled out of lot. followed h
2 agents in this vehicle and one agent in a Jeep. Agents followed my car and eventually turned off into the neighborhood.
I was heading home and I passed these two vehicles on Wentworth and did a U-turn to follow them. I follow them heading south on Robert Street in West St Paul and made a big ruckus several times. I followed them into the Lowe’s parking lot where they did a big loop around the back
Been sitting here since yesterday afternoon. This this morning they're parked right behind my backyard. Couldn't get a plates. Blacked out windows. A woman rang my doorbell asking if I was selling my snow mobile. I said no. She then proceeded to leave around thr next house and wa
Ice chased me in my car. They would speed 90mph then slow down to 35mph on a 70mph freeway. They followed behind me until the exited in Clearwater.