Anti-ICE protesters rally outside Tim Walz’s office at Minnesota Capitol: ‘Do your job’

ST PAUL, MINNESOTA: Dozens of anti‑ICE protesters gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol on Tuesday, January 27, assembling near Gov Tim Walz’s office. The demonstrators were demanding immigration justice amid rising tensions over federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis. 

The demonstration featured protesters chanting slogans and carrying signs calling for accountability in response to heightened activity by ICE and other federal immigration agents under the Trump administration’s 'Operation Metro Surge.'

Protestors swarm Tim Walz’s office inside the Minnesota capitol

According to reports, around 200 agitators crammed into the Capitol building, their chants echoing through the hallways near Walz’s office in St Paul. The protest unfolded amid a broader wave of demonstrations following deadly encounters involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, where two people were recently fatally shot by federal officers. 

Activists were calling for accountability, justice, and changes to enforcement policies. Demonstrators assembled outside Walz’s office and chanted slogans including “ICE out now!” and “Do your job!” before moving toward the governor’s doors.

Organizers said the march was planned to be slow and peaceful. In addition to the anti‑ICE chants, protesters also yelled slogans like “Whose house is this… our house,” and “What do we want? Charges. When do we want it? Now.”

Several protesters carried signs featuring photos of Renee Nicole Good, who was shot dead by a federal officer earlier in the month. Other signs demanded justice for Alex Pretti, who was shot by a federal officer on Saturday, January 24.

Many in the crowd also held banners with the phrase “No one is illegal.. power to the people,” signaling broad calls for systemic change in immigration enforcement and justice for those who lost their lives.

Trump discusses operations with Tim Walz and Senate hearing

On the day before the protest, President Donald Trump said he had spoken by phone with Walz as tensions continued to escalate following Pretti’s death. Trump described the call as “very good” and said the two leaders were “on a similar wavelength” regarding the unrest and immigration issues. 

He also indicated that White House border czar Tom Homan would follow up directly with Walz to continue discussions. Meanwhile, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said he had a “productive conversation” with Homan, focusing on the operation and its impacts on the city.

Frey told Homan that he urged an end to the Operation, arguing that it creates fear in the community and strains relations with local police. Frey also confirmed that the city “will not enforce federal immigration laws,” and emphasized that public safety must be rooted in trust within the community rather than aggressive enforcement.

The leaders of the three core US immigration agencies are scheduled to testify before the Senate’s powerful Homeland Security Committee in two weeks, the panel announced Tuesday, as federal operations in Minnesota and beyond face intense scrutiny.

Republican Sen Rand Paul, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, posted on X that the heads of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had agreed to appear before the committee.