Later today, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) will join other Minnesota civil rights leaders, clergy, and community advocates at a press conference addressing the removal of Kristi Noem and the ongoing impacts of federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota during Operation Metro Surge.
WHAT: Press Conference to Address Firing of Kristi Noem, Demand Accountability for Operation Metro Surge
WHEN: Friday, March 6, 2026 — 12:30 PM
WHERE: Outside U.S. Federal Courthouse, 300 South 4th Street, Minneapolis, 55415
CONTACTS: Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director, CAIR-MN, 612-406-0070, jhussein@cair.com; Suleiman Adan, Deputy Executive Director, CAIR-MN, 612-408-7183, sadan@cair.com
BACKGROUNDER:
Noem’s tenure was marked by repeated false statements to the public and the media, inflammatory rhetoric about Minnesota residents, and efforts to criminalize protest following the federal immigration crackdown known as Operation Metro Surge.
Beginning in late 2025, the federal government deployed approximately 3,000 federal immigration agents across Minnesota as part of Operation Metro Surge, the largest immigration enforcement deployment in modern U.S. history.
Two U.S. citizens were killed by federal agents during the operation: Renée Nicole Good, a Minneapolis mother of three, and Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who was documenting federal enforcement activity.
After their deaths, Kristi Noem publicly labeled both individuals “domestic terrorists.” During congressional oversight hearings this week, members of Congress asked Noem directly whether she would retract the statements or apologize to the families. She refused.
“Kristi Noem used the power of her office to falsely label two Americans killed by federal agents as domestic terrorists,” said Nekima Levy Armstrong, civil rights leader and attorney. “Even when members of Congress gave her the opportunity to apologize, she refused. That demonstrates a complete lack of accountability, empathy and compassion.”
Impact on Immigrant Communities and Civil Rights
Operation Metro Surge created widespread fear and trauma across immigrant and mixed-status communities in Minnesota. Aggressive federal enforcement actions disrupted neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools, leaving many families afraid to leave their homes.
Civil liberties organizations have filed lawsuits alleging that federal agents engaged in racial profiling, unlawful stops, and warrantless arrests, targeting people based on perceived ethnicity, language, or accent. Somali, Latino, and other communities of color were disproportionately affected.
Reports and court filings also document cases in which U.S. citizens were detained by federal agents, sometimes tackled or taken into custody even before being able to prove their citizenship.
Advocates say these actions violated constitutional protections against unlawful searches and seizures and raised serious concerns about racial discrimination in federal enforcement practices.
“Operation Metro Surge spread fear throughout immigrant communities and communities of color,” Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director of CAIR Minnesota said. “People were racially profiled, U.S. citizens were detained, and families were traumatized while federal agents operated with virtually no accountability.”
Cities Church Protest and Criminal Charges
The shootings sparked protests across Minnesota. One protest took place inside Cities Church in St. Paul after it became public that David Easterwood, a pastor at the church, was also serving as Acting Field Office Director for Enforcement and Removal Operations for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the St. Paul Field Office, overseeing immigration enforcement operations across the region.
The protest called attention to Easterwood’s dual role as both a church pastor and a federal official directing immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota. Thirty-nine people have since been indicted in connection with the nonviolent protest.
“Faith communities have a long tradition of speaking out against injustice,” said Monique Cullars-Doty, cofounder of Black Lives Matter Minnesota. “Attempts to criminalize protest and intimidate people of faith for raising moral concerns threaten fundamental constitutional rights.”
Economic Impact
The federal enforcement operation also caused major economic disruption. A preliminary assessment from the City of Minneapolis found that Operation Metro Surge resulted in at least $203 million in economic damage in a single month, including tens of millions in lost wages and major losses for small businesses and restaurants.
Calls for Accountability
Advocates are now calling on Congress to launch independent investigations into the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti and to impose stronger oversight of DHS and federal immigration enforcement agencies.
Community leaders are also urging lawmakers to withhold additional funding for DHS until new leadership commits to policies that prevent violence, abuse, and misconduct by federal agents.
“The removal of Kristi Noem is only the first step,” Levy Armstrong said. “Minnesota communities deserve the truth about what happened here and real accountability for the harm that was done.”
END
CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com