Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey heads to Washington amid dispute over federal immigration enforcement operations

Visit follows weeks of heightened federal activity and a public clash with President Donald Trump

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey traveled to Washington, D.C., to press federal officials and fellow municipal leaders for an end to what City Hall describes as unlawful immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota. The trip comes amid escalating tension between Minneapolis and the Trump administration over a large-scale deployment of federal immigration personnel in the Twin Cities region.

Frey’s office said he planned to meet with mayors and members of Congress while attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and to participate in discussions about public safety and legal boundaries for federal and local law enforcement. The mayor is expected to return to Minnesota the same day.

Trump warning and Frey’s response center on local police role

The mayor’s visit follows a public warning from President Donald Trump after Frey stated that Minneapolis “does not, and will not, enforce Federal Immigration Laws.” Trump responded online that the statement was a “very serious violation of the Law” and warned the mayor he was “playing with fire.”

Frey has argued that local police priorities should remain focused on preventing violent crime and maintaining trust so residents feel safe calling 911, rather than taking on federal immigration enforcement responsibilities.

Federal officials signal adjustments but not an end to the operation

Trump administration immigration adviser Tom Homan has said federal enforcement activity in Minnesota will continue, while also describing a plan to draw down the number of immigration officers deployed to Minneapolis. Homan has emphasized a shift toward more targeted enforcement and has called for cooperation from state and local officials, including access to jails for custody-based arrests.

The federal operation—often referred to by Minnesota officials as “Operation Metro Surge”—has drawn national scrutiny following reports of aggressive street enforcement, widespread community disruption, and multiple legal challenges.

Minnesota lawsuit seeks to halt deployment, citing constitutional and statutory claims

On January 12, 2026, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, along with the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, filed suit in federal court seeking to halt the surge of federal immigration agents. The complaint alleges the deployment and related actions violate the First and Tenth Amendments, principles governing federal-state relations, and the federal Administrative Procedure Act. The filing also asserts that local governments have had to divert public safety resources and that schools and businesses have been disrupted.

• City and state leaders say the deployment has strained local emergency response and law enforcement capacity.
• Federal officials maintain the operation is aimed at immigration enforcement and public safety objectives.
• Key legal questions include the limits of federal authority in conducting operations and the extent of any local obligation to assist.

The dispute now spans law enforcement practice, federal-state authority, and community trust—issues likely to be shaped by court rulings and federal policy decisions in the weeks ahead.

Frey’s Washington visit positions Minneapolis within a broader national debate among cities confronting intensified federal immigration enforcement, particularly around how municipal leaders can respond while maintaining local public safety priorities and compliance with the law.