Several Minnesota‑related demonstrations have emerged in response to ICE’s expanding operations and its plan to buy or convert warehouses into detention centers. These actions reflect growing public resistance across the state and nationwide.

1. Protests at Multiple Target Stores (Twin Cities)

• Demonstrators staged sit‑ins and rallies at several Target locations across Minneapolis–St. Paul.
• Activists accused Target of allowing ICE agents to use store parking lots as staging areas.
• These protests were part of the broader “ICE Out Everywhere” national day of action.

2. “ICE Out” March in Minneapolis

• Thousands marched from Bryant Square Park demanding ICE leave Minnesota.
• The march was tied to national opposition to ICE expansion, including warehouse‑based detention plans.

3. Alex Pretti Memorial Bike Ride

• Hundreds of cyclists gathered in Minneapolis to honor Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by Border Patrol agents.
• The ride doubled as a protest against ICE’s increased presence and detention expansion.

4. Demonstrations Outside Target on December 4, 2025

• Protesters rallied outside a Minneapolis Target store, criticizing the company for allegedly enabling ICE operations.
• This occurred shortly after ICE’s expanded enforcement surge in Minnesota.

5. “ICE Out” Economic Blackout Protest

• About 700 Minnesota businesses closed for a day in solidarity.
• Residents skipped work, school, and shopping to protest ICE’s presence and detention expansion.
• A large rally was held at The Commons park in downtown Minneapolis.

6. National Protests Against ICE Warehouse Purchases (Relevant to Minnesota)

While not all occurred in Minnesota, these demonstrations are directly tied to ICE’s warehouse‑buying strategy, which includes planned sites in Minnesota:

• Hagerstown, Maryland: Protesters gathered in freezing temperatures to oppose a new ICE mega‑warehouse.
• Salt Lake City, Utah: Warehouse owners backed out of a deal after protests at their offices.
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: A warehouse owner withdrew from an ICE facility agreement following local backlash.
• These protests reflect the same concerns Minnesotans have voiced about ICE’s warehouse plans.

Minnesota lawmakers have been unusually vocal about ICE’s plan to purchase or convert warehouses into detention centers, and several of them have appeared in interviews alongside residents who fear the impact on their communities. The concerns fall into a few clear themes: transparency, public safety, civil rights, and the economic consequences of turning commercial warehouse zones into federal detention hubs.

Lawmakers Who Have Publicly Voiced Concerns

These examples reflect the types of statements and interviews that have been reported in Minnesota media and regional outlets:

1. State Legislators Questioning Transparency and Local Impact

• Several Minnesota state representatives have criticized ICE for failing to notify local governments before pursuing warehouse purchases.
• Lawmakers have appeared in local news segments saying the process “bypasses community input” and “creates fear without providing answers.”
• They’ve pushed for hearings to determine whether zoning laws or state oversight could slow or block the conversions.

2. Congressional Delegation Members Calling for Federal Review

• Members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation have asked DHS for clarification on the scale and purpose of the warehouse network.
• Some have expressed concern that the facilities could become large-scale detention hubs without adequate oversight.
• Interviews often feature lawmakers standing with immigrant‑rights groups or local business owners.

3. City Council Members and Mayors Opposing Local Warehouse Conversions

• Local officials in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and several suburbs have spoken out, saying the warehouse plan could:
  • Disrupt commercial districts
  • Increase policing and surveillance
  • Create fear among immigrant communities
• Many have joined press conferences with residents who live near the proposed warehouse sites.

Here are some Citizens concerns as reported in interviews

Minnesota residents interviewed by local news outlets have raised several recurring concerns:

1. Fear of Increased Enforcement Activity

Residents living near industrial zones worry that warehouse conversions will bring:

• More ICE vehicles
• Surveillance towers or drones
• Frequent enforcement operations This has been especially alarming for mixed‑status families.

2. Disruption to Neighborhoods and Businesses

Business owners have told reporters that a detention facility could:

• Reduce foot traffic
• Lower property values
• Discourage new investment in warehouse districts

3. Humanitarian and Civil Rights Concerns

Community members interviewed at protests have said they fear:

• Inhumane conditions inside large‑scale detention centers
• Lack of medical care
• Family separations
• Rapid deportations without due process

4. Lack of Public Input

Many residents have said they learned about the warehouse purchases from the news, not from local officials or ICE. This has fueled frustration and distrust.