2026: Jan 26 - Feb 1
Aggressive ICE operations continue in Minnesota.
Fallout from killing of Alex Pretti and Renee Good
Early in the week, amid pressure from the public and some allies over the killing of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by CBP/ICE agents, Trump signaled a desire to "de-escalate" in Minnesota. (AP)
- CBP commander Greg Bovino was removed from his role and has left Minnesota. Independent
- Bovino is known for aggressive tactics, his alleged mocking a state prosecutor's Jewish faith, and his sartorial style German media has called his "Nazi look,"
- "Border Czar" Tom Homan was sent to Minnesota to lead ICE operations and meet with local and state officials. MPR
Shortly after suggesting he would "de-escalate," Trump was back on offense using incendiary language saying those detained in Minnesota were "hardened, vicious, horrible criminals." NYT
- Data provided by ICE shows the majority of people detained have no criminal records. NYT
Meanwhile:
- Raids continue. Guardian
- ICE agents tries to enter Ecuadorean consulate in Minneapolis, causing diplomatic incident. NYT
- Citizens continue to resist and protest in Minnesota and across the country. AP
Homan says ICE draw-down in Minnesota is possible only with more "cooperation" from the state and once "hateful rhetoric... impediment and interference" have stopped. AP
Arrest of 5-year-old boy Liam Conejo Ramos
ICE detained 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos coming home from school, using him as "bait" to detain his father as well. The two were taken to a Texas detention facility. Guardian
- The boy and his father entered the country legally as asylum seekers, have a pending asylum case, and had not been asked to leave the country.
- A judge blocked ICE from deporting or transferring child and his father. CBS
- Dozens of immigrant families detained in Texas facility protested 5-year-old boy taken by ICE. AP
- Both father and son have been released and are back in Minneapolis. Guardian
Feds assert new powers, target journalists and activists.
- Last week, an internal memo was leaked instructing agents they only needed an administrative warrant to enter a house - not a signed judge's warrant. AP
- This week, ICE has further expanded its power to arrest without warrants with a new and remarkably broad interpretation of law. NYT
- FBI to investigate activist Signal chats after far-right podcaster's post about anti-ICE chats. Guardian
- Independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort arrested covering protest. Independent
The leaked ICE memos reflect internal interpretation as opposed to settled law and are sure to be challenged in court. However, ICE has ignored nearly 100 court orders according to a federal judge. NYT
"The extent of ICE's violation of court orders is... extraordinary." - Judge Patrick J. Schlitz
ICE to end operations in Maine.
Senator Collins says ICE operation is ending after talks with DHS head Kristi Noem. AP
- DHS says they arrested more than 200 people during the 5 day operation claiming they targeted the "worst of the worst." (In comparison, ICE arrested 230 people in Maine in all of 2025.)
- Court records again dispel the administration's continued fiction that DHS/ICE is targeting only hardened criminals. AP
Citizens across the country continue to protest ICE.
Dozens arrested as protesters occupied a hotel in NYC, accusing the hotel of housing ICE agents. AP
Protests in NYC on Friday. Guardian
In Portland, peaceful protestors were again tear gassed by ICE agents prompting the mayor to demand ICE to leave the city. Guardian