A raw, defiant challenge echoed through the streets of Minneapolis as Mayor Jacob Frey publicly demanded federal immigration authorities leave the city. The outburst followed a fatal shooting involving an ICE officer, igniting a firestorm of controversy and escalating a long-standing conflict over immigration policy.
The Department of Homeland Security claimed its officers were conducting an operation when confronted by protestors who allegedly blocked their vehicles. Officials went further, accusing the driver of one vehicle of attempting to use it as a weapon against law enforcement, labeling the incident an act of “domestic terrorism.”
Frey’s response was immediate and forceful. “Get the f--- out of Minneapolis,” he declared, his voice ringing with anger. He argued their presence was exacerbating tensions and causing harm, directly contradicting their stated mission of ensuring safety. He dismissed the DHS’s self-defense claim as “garbage.”
This confrontation wasn’t an isolated event. Frey has consistently positioned himself as a staunch opponent of aggressive federal immigration enforcement. He secured a third term in office, even drawing attention for speaking Somali during his victory speech, a nod to a significant community within the city.
Shortly after his re-election, Frey issued an executive order explicitly prohibiting the use of city property for immigration operations. This move solidified his commitment to Minneapolis as a “safe haven” for undocumented immigrants, a promise he’d made previously.
The city’s “separation ordinance” further underscored this stance, directing Minneapolis police not to inquire about immigration status or make arrests solely based on a person’s undocumented status. Frey’s policies aimed to create a clear boundary between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
However, Frey’s leadership hasn’t been without its challenges. His recent swearing-in ceremony was met with heckling from critics questioning his handling of domestic violence cases. This wasn’t the first time he’s faced public disapproval, even from within his own political base.
The aftermath of George Floyd’s death brought particularly intense scrutiny. Frey was famously booed and driven from a protest after refusing to endorse calls to defund the Minneapolis Police Department. Demonstrators chanted “Go home Jacob, go home,” and “Shame, shame, shame,” expressing their deep dissatisfaction.
Pressed by protest leaders to abolish or defund the police, Frey acknowledged his own “brokenness” in the situation. He pledged to overhaul what he described as a “systemic racist system,” signaling a willingness to address the underlying issues fueling the unrest, even as he resisted the most radical demands.
Frey’s third and final term is poised to be marked by continued tension – a balancing act between local values, federal policies, and the demands of a deeply divided community. His actions suggest a leader willing to confront authority, but also one navigating a complex and often hostile political landscape.
