Clergy Arrested During Airport Protest
One of the most visible demonstrations took place at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, where dozens of clergy members knelt on a roadway, praying and singing hymns while calling for ICE to leave the state. Police arrested and detained the protesters after they refused to clear the area.
Organizers said the arrests were peaceful and intended to highlight what they described as the detention of airport and airline workers during immigration operations. Advocacy groups urged airlines and airport authorities to publicly oppose the enforcement surge.
Political and Corporate Response
The Trump administration has defended the deployment of federal agents, arguing that ICE officers are enforcing immigration laws and targeting violators. Vice President JD Vance visited Minneapolis earlier in the week, calling for calm while voicing support for ICE personnel.
Local and state officials, however, have criticized the scale of the operation. Community leaders said federal enforcement has strained public trust and heightened fear among immigrant communities.
Several Minnesota-based corporations were pressed by lawmakers and activists to clarify their policies when ICE agents appear at workplaces. Most major companies contacted declined to comment publicly, drawing criticism from rally speakers who said corporate silence was undermining community efforts.
