Jon Collins

"MPR News has learned that the police chief in the small southern Minnesota city of St. Peter intervened Thursday afternoon to prevent federal immigration agents from arresting a local resident" who had been observing federal agents. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

St. Peter police chief intervenes, prevents federal agents from arresting resident

The police chief of St. Peter intervened to prevent federal agents from taking a local resident who was observing ICE enforcement actions into custody. It is believed to the first time local police in...

She says ICE agents mocked her: “The ICE agent who had pepper sprayed into the vents of my car said ‘you guys gotta stop obstructing us, that’s why that lesbian b—— is dead,’ verbatim, speaking of Renee Good. Which filled me with absolute rage and shock..."
www.mprnews.org/episode/2026...

‘I was flooded with fear’: Minnesotans describe their encounters with ICE, being detained

From an Uber driver to a school drop off, MPR News spoke with Minnesotans who were stopped or detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Reply to @jcollins.bsky.social

“If I am killed doing this, throw my body at the White House, martyr the shit out of me & raise hell. Do not be sad. Do not think I would do anything differently. I would do it over & over again — this is too important to sit down & shut up and not do anything.” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved

After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.

ICE agents stopped by protesters after the shooting an observer in Minneapolis, according to witnesse. ICE deployed pepper spray and tear gas.

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Two female ICE agents popped the hood of their car and knocked on the door of a mechanic born in Mexico. He went out to help.

“A bunch of agents jump out and tackle him, essentially restraining him, and take him away...His six kids are now without their father." www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

ICE drawdown? Indications point to steady enforcement activity outside the Twin Cities

Some people who observe ICE activity are skeptical about a large scale drawdown of agents in the state. There are indications that activity has decreased in the Twin Cities, but has continued outside ...

Some of the efforts being made in Belfast right now to protect people, because the government can't or won't, will be familiar to Minnesotans.

The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says they've been informed by the FBI that US DOJ has said FBI will solely lead the investigation into Renee Nicole Good's killing by a federal officer. State investigators no longer have access to "case materials, scene evidence/investigative interviews"

These dancers are a common sight at Minneapolis protests and cultural events. Protesters are gathered around as they wait for the protest against ICE to start in south Minneapolis.

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People who aren't in Minnesota might not know that if you drive or walk past pretty much any school, there's going to be a group of people, parents and childless, standing guard to make sure the kids are safe from feds. It's pretty remarkable. And very disturbing. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Twin Cities students walk out, decry ICE as surge continues

Hundreds of Twin Cities high school students walked out of school Monday to protest federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota. Officials are increasingly concerned about high absenteeism in some sc...

The level of anger normal Minnesota people have at their elected representatives is palpable. It's not about party, but the perceived failure of local/state electeds to do anything of substance to protect residents who pay their taxes and get left facing off alone against masked, armed men.

Cities in Vermont and Maine are experiencing some of the same tactics that ICE has been using across Minnesota since December, and facing lots of resistance.

Vermont Public @vermontpublic.org

UPDATE: A tense, day-long standoff outside a South Burlington house ended Wednesday night with federal immigration agents removing three people inside and a series of violent clashes between police and hundreds of activists who tried to impede the apprehension. www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2...

Reply to @jcollins.bsky.social

Minneapolis Council Member Robin Wonsley told me Wed. every local official needs to oppose FBI taking over: "Definitely do not trust the FBI, that has given authority for ICE agents to terrorize our communities here in Minneapolis. There's no reason they should be owning the tragedy they caused."

One reason Minneapolis remains in the world's eye is we have one of the most robust & independent media ecosystems remaining in the country. You all need this...and more! @mprnews.org @startribune.com @sahanjournal.bsky.social @minnesotareformer.com @minnpost.bsky.social @racketmn.com etc.

Reply to @jcollins.bsky.social

Suburban observers say ICE has only been more aggressive since Homan: “I think they’re getting angry that we’re winning and the country is rallying around us. We’re so organized and we act with such integrity. They don’t want to admit they feel threatened by us.”
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Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved

After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.

Reply to @jcollins.bsky.social

Note: This move not only cuts out state access, but it undermines one of the most concrete changes that came out of George Floyd's killing here in Minneapolis in 2020, which is the BCA Force Investigations Unit, created to restore trust in investigations when law enforcement kills civilians.

A document obtained by MPR News shows that dozens of Minneapolis police officers have worked with a previously undisclosed Homeland Security Task Force, which city leaders say is investigating criminal, and not immigration, violations. (1) www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Minneapolis Police participation with Homeland Security Task Force raises concerns

City officials say the task force was not related to civil immigration law enforcement. However, some say, given how the surge damaged trust between citizens and local and federal law enforcement, thi...

These peaceful observers I spoke to had ICE show up at their homes in what they see as attempts at intimidation. ICE has somehow been accessing Minnesotans' private data in likely violation of state law, according to privacy advocates.

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Privacy advocates: ICE using private data to intimidate observers and activists

MPR News has looked into reports that federal agents have accessed private data to track and intimidate anti-ICE activists since the immigration crackdown surged in Minnesota in December. Privacy advo...

Reply to @jcollins.bsky.social

The suburban observers, heavily women, say they share a personality type.

“Many of us have encountered bullies our entire lives...I think that turns you into somebody that, even if that bully is wearing full tactical gear, I'm not interested in laying down for you.” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved

After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.

Most of the footage you see from ICE observers in Minnesota comes from the core cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. I talked to observers in the northern suburbs, who say they're taking on the same mission in very different conditions. (1)
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Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved

After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.

Reply to @jcollins.bsky.social

ICE observers in the Twin Cities suburbs say they fear being injured or killed, but are dedicated to being on the right side of history. They say working together has brought them community and connection. And they're seeing shifts in attitudes among their neighbors. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved

After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.

Reply to @jcollins.bsky.social

“There was a woman on the side of the road just bawling, & I stopped & I said, 'Are you okay? Has anything happened?' And she's like, 'I’m just terrified that ICE is here, & I don't know what to do.'

“I'm like, ‘You're here, you're caring. You are doing something.’” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved

After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.

ICE's "presence is terrifying medical staff and raising concerns about patient care, according to five nurses at HCMC hospital in Minneapolis who asked to remain anonymous for fear of losing their jobs."

Via reporter @ericazurek.bsky.social www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

ICE agents appear at Twin Cities hospitals, alarming health care workers

Health care workers in the Twin Cities report that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are entering hospitals with detained individuals, leaving some medical staff terrified and concerned ...

Legal documents released today show federal law enforcement officials extensively surveilled public meetings and activists during the ICE surge, and created dossiers on political enemies. I've been busy, but will post some takeaways on this thread soon: (1) www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Attorney: Homeland Security spied on Minnesotans who spoke out against ICE

Defense attorney Kevin Riach alleges that just four days after Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal agents, that Homeland Security Investigations launched Operation Puppet Master. The agency cou...

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ICE watch has been life-changing: “I feel like our whole lives as Minnesotans...it’s always kind of like, ‘Don’t even start that kind of thing because you have to live around these people. I feel that’s gone in me personally — I don’t even care if I ruffle feathers.” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved

After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.