Protests against U.S. immigration enforcement are planned across the country following two separate shootings by federal officers in Minneapolis and Portland, Oregon. The demonstrations are set for Saturday as concerns grow over federal immigration operations.
In Minneapolis, a federal officer fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good in a residential neighborhood. In Portland, another officer shot and injured two people. The Department of Homeland Security stated both incidents were acts of self-defense, claiming drivers “weaponized” their vehicles against officers.
A social movement organization, Indivisible, said hundreds of protests are scheduled in states including Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, and Florida. Many of the demonstrations use the slogan “ICE Out for Good,” referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Indivisible and its local chapters also organized protests in all 50 states last year.
In Minneapolis, migrant rights groups are organizing a rally and march at Powderhorn Park, roughly half a mile from where Good was shot. The event aims to honor Good’s life and call for “an end to deadly terror on our streets.” Organizers emphasized that the protests would remain peaceful.
So far, demonstrations in Minneapolis have largely been calm, contrasting with the unrest that followed George Floyd’s killing in 2020. However, near the Minneapolis airport, minor confrontations occurred Thursday and Friday between small groups of protesters and federal officers guarding the building used as a base for the ongoing operation.
The federal operation in Minnesota involves more than 2,000 officers. Many were redeployed from Louisiana, where they had been conducting another enforcement operation that began last month and was originally planned to continue until February. Officials say the Minnesota operation is the largest immigration enforcement effort ever carried out in the Twin Cities.
The crackdown in Minnesota is partly linked to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents, according to federal authorities. The surge of federal officers has heightened tensions in affected communities, raising questions about the impact of such operations on residents.
Indivisible and other advocacy groups have called for an end to the increased presence of federal immigration officers, arguing that the tactics used put civilians at risk. Supporters of the protests say the demonstrations aim to push for accountability and policy changes at ICE and the Department of Homeland Security.
President Donald Trump’s administration has maintained that federal officers are acting to enforce the law and protect themselves during enforcement operations. Officials stress that all actions are conducted under strict protocols and that officers are trained to respond to threats posed by vehicles and other potential hazards.
Observers say the shootings and the nationwide protests could influence public opinion and policy debates on immigration enforcement in the United States. Local and national leaders are watching closely as communities weigh the safety and rights of residents against the federal government’s efforts to enforce immigration law.
