Mayor Frey Announces Mayoral Coalition as Federal Immigration Surge Winds Down

Mayor Frey Announces Mayoral Coalition as Federal Immigration Surge Winds Down

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is scheduled to meet with regional political leaders at City Hall today, Friday, February 13, 2026, to announce the formation of a new "coalition of mayors." This high-profile meeting comes immediately following a major announcement from the federal government regarding the cessation of "Operation Metro Surge," a controversial immigration enforcement operation that has impacted the city for several weeks.

The Mayor’s session with political counterparts is expected to focus on a unified municipal response to recent federal actions. Mayor Frey has spent the early part of the day addressing the city’s transition following the statement by federal authorities on Thursday, which confirmed that a significant drawdown of federal agents is currently underway. While expressing "cautious optimism," Frey has remained skeptical of the sudden policy shift, crediting the residents of Minneapolis for their sustained peaceful protests which he believes pressured the federal government into a reversal.

Key items on the executive agenda today include:

• Formalizing a multi-city coalition to provide a coordinated defense against unilateral federal enforcement operations in sanctuary jurisdictions.
• Reiterating demands for an independent investigation into the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti, which occurred during the federal surge.
• Calling for federal accountability and potential compensation for the economic damage caused to local businesses, with city estimates suggesting losses reached up to $20 million per week during the height of the operation.

In addition to the Mayor's activities, the city's official government calendar includes a meeting of the Public Health Advisory Committee. The committee is scheduled to convene at 5:00 p.m. today in Room 100C of the Public Service Building. This session is expected to pivot toward the long-term community health impacts of the recent federal presence, with a specific focus on mental health supports and trauma-informed recovery resources for neighborhoods most affected by the recent raids.

The local legal landscape also saw a significant development this morning that impacts city governance. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota filed a motion today to dismiss felony charges in a high-profile case involving a January 14 incident with federal officers. The filing cited "newly discovered evidence" that was materially inconsistent with previous government allegations, marking a significant shift in the legal fallout from the federal occupation.

As Minneapolis moves into the weekend, city officials continue to monitor the promised withdrawal of federal agents. Both the Mayor's office and state leadership have emphasized that while the "road to recovery" has begun, the city will remain on high alert until the federal drawdown is fully verified and complete.