The Governor’s Office, law enforcement agencies and the ACLU are seeking information and evidence to understand the impact of the surge and to hold federal agents accountable
By Kat Ruth-Leigh — Volunteer contributor
Several agencies in Minnesota are seeking resident stories and experiences of Operation Metro Surge to understand its wider community impacts.
In an email to community partners sent in early March, the Minnesota Department of Youth, Children and Families (DCYF) stated that the Minnesota Governor’s Office has begun soliciting stories about the operation’s impact. State agencies can pass stories along to the Governor’s Office and individuals can submit stories directly through the Governor’s Office contact form.
This invitation joins other local calls for information concerning federal agent actions during the surge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and border patrol agents around the Twin Cities in early 2026.
Ramsey County foregoes complaint portal, Hennepin launches TAP initiative
In Ramsey County, residents who believe they witnessed or experienced illegal conduct by federal officers can file a police report with their local department by calling the non-emergency number. The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office issued guidance in late January directing all Ramsey County law enforcement agencies to investigate alleged crimes committed by federal agents. These investigations will follow all standard processes for criminal investigations, up to and including criminal charges being filed, according to the guidance.
Ramsey County Attorney’s office spokesperson Dennis Gerhardstein confirmed in an email that all nine police departments agreed to receive and investigate reports. He stated that Ramsey County considered opening a portal, but ultimately chose not to.
According to Gerhardstein, in order to use evidence in court, an investigator needs to receive the evidence and conduct interviews, so a portal wouldn’t save time in the process. He added that the county doesn’t want to divert investigator time to looking into illegitimate submissions.
Gerhardstein confirmed that there are two active investigations being conducted by the St. Paul Police and Ramsey County Sheriff, and several other preliminary investigations that might move forward if the victim chooses to proceed.
Hennepin County recently launched the Transparency and Accountability Project initiative (TAP) in order to collect evidence of legal violations by federal officers. Residents can submit narratives, photos or videos of any potential unlawful conduct and TAP will then investigate and pursue charges when appropriate.
The TAP team is currently investigating 17 incidents. In January, the Hennepin County Attorney’s office opened a portal specific to collecting evidence about the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, which has since been closed.
ACLU provides witness forms to support lawsuit
The end goal for both Hennepin and Ramsey County Attorneys Offices is to determine whether charges can be filed and litigated against federal officers. Hennepin County acknowledges that “prosecution of federal agents present significant challenges and the HCAO must be prepared to litigate those challenges prior to filing charges.”
Gerhardstein cited victims’ fear of retaliation by the federal government as a barrier to pursuing charges in Ramsey County.
“Victims are reluctant in these cases because of direct or ancillary consequences to the victim or family member or fear of retaliation by the federal government,” he wrote.
Gerhardstein added that support resources are provided to victims regardless of whether they choose to proceed, and investigations can go forward only with victims’ consent.
Confidential legal intake forms are also available from the Minnesota ACLU witnesses to report unlawful conduct towards ICE observers and protestors, as well as warrantless arrests and racial profiling by federal agents.
The ACLU included over 100 community member stories detailing mistreatment and violence by federal agents in their class action lawsuit on behalf of Minnesota residents alleging their constitutional rights were violated by ICE and other federal agents.
The ACLU has also sued the federal government on behalf of residents to end racial profiling, warrantless arrests and indiscriminate stops by federal agents.
