Federal Prosecutors Charge 15 People Over Minnesota Anti-ICE Protests

Federal prosecutors in Minnesota have charged 15 people with conspiracy to impede federal officers and related offenses connected to protests against immigration enforcement. The charges involve two Minneapolis-based groups described by officials as antifa organizations.

Prosecutors allege the groups used blockades to disrupt operations at a federal building and targeted enforcement actions during Operation Metro Surge.

Twelve of the 15 people were arrested Tuesday morning by Homeland Security Investigations agents. One additional person was already in custody on separate charges, while two remain at large. Court records list the defendants by name but do not indicate whether any have retained counsel.

Surge began at the end of last year as part of federal immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota. During the operation, federal agents killed two U.S. citizens in separate incidents weeks apart. Those deaths prompted protests and drew criticism from some lawmakers.

Officials stated that investigations into the shootings remain ongoing. A progressive grassroots group condemned the charges, calling them an attempt to appear strong while other cases go unaddressed.