Operation Metro Surge Ignites Twin Cities Violence

As tensions over immigration enforcement reach a boiling point, a protest outside a Minneapolis hotel, fueled by the mistaken belief that it was housing ICE agents, escalated into a night of chaos, property damage, and arrests. The incident marks the third consecutive day of anti-ICE demonstrations following a controversial shooting and underscores the growing friction between federal enforcement efforts and local resistance in the Twin Cities.

Story Highlights

Over 1,000 protesters gathered outside the Canopy by Hilton in Minneapolis.
Demonstrators mistakenly believed ICE agents were staying there, leading to a violent protest.
Property damage occurred, and a police officer was injured by thrown ice.
Police declared an unlawful assembly, resulting in 30 arrests.

Escalating Protests and Violence

On January 17, 2026, a crowd of over 1,000 protesters assembled outside the Canopy by Hilton hotel in downtown Minneapolis. The protest was fueled by rumors that ICE agents were staying there as part of Operation Metro Surge, an immigration enforcement initiative. What began as a noise protest quickly escalated into violence, with demonstrators causing property damage and injuring a police officer by throwing ice chunks.

The protest marked the third consecutive day of anti-ICE demonstrations following the controversial shooting of Jose Sosa-Celis by an ICE agent on January 14. Tensions have been high in the Twin Cities as local communities react to the federal crackdown on undocumented immigrants. The demonstration at the hotel turned chaotic, culminating in police declaring an unlawful assembly at 10:15 p.m. and arresting 30 individuals as the crowd dispersed.

NEW>> Hotel Horror: Rampaging Rioters Attack Twin Cities Hilton Believing ICE Agents Are Sleeping Insidehttps://t.co/ozHq8RrXJC pic.twitter.com/zzlQs93jGa

— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) January 26, 2026

Operation Metro Surge: A Controversial Initiative

Operation Metro Surge, launched in December 2025 under the Trump administration, aims to target undocumented immigrants across the Twin Cities and beyond. This operation has been described as the largest immigration enforcement effort ever, involving over 2,000 agents. The initiative has sparked significant controversy, with local leaders and residents denouncing it as a federal overreach and invasion.

Local politicians, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, have criticized the operation, labeling it as “organized brutality”. The deployment of federal agents has led to a strained relationship between state and federal authorities, with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension being blocked from probing incidents involving ICE agents.

Community Impact and Response

The ongoing protests and federal immigration crackdown have deeply affected local communities, particularly immigrant neighborhoods in the Twin Cities. Residents have expressed fear and uncertainty as the presence of federal agents disrupts daily life. The hospitality sector is also feeling the impact, with some hotels facing economic repercussions for denying service to federal agents.

Hotel Horror: Rampaging Rioters Attack Twin Cities Hilton Believing ICE Agents Are Sleeping Inside https://t.co/42wJ2nHgtH

— Twitchy Updates (@Twitchy_Updates) January 26, 2026

As the situation continues to evolve, the tension between federal enforcement efforts and local resistance highlights the broader national debate over immigration policy and enforcement. With ongoing protests and legal battles, the situation remains a contentious issue that will likely influence political discourse leading into the 2026 midterm elections.

Watch the report: Protesters outside Minneapolis hotel where ICE agents are believed to be staying