Minneapolis – A volatile confrontation erupted in south Minneapolis on December 15, 2025, when dozens of residents surrounded federal immigration agents conducting an enforcement operation, prompting ICE to deploy paintball guns firing pepper balls to disperse the crowd. The incident, near Lake Street and Pillsbury Avenue close to Karmel Mall, highlights escalating tensions during the Trump administration’s intensified crackdown on undocumented immigrants in the Twin Cities.
Video footage captured agents ordering protesters off the streets as the situation grew “increasingly volatile.” When the crowd refused to comply—allegedly throwing objects and blocking vehicles—agents resorted to less-lethal munitions, including paintball-style launchers loaded with irritant rounds. Hennepin County Sheriff’s deputies arrived shortly after, assisting with crowd control but reporting no observed assaults on federal officers requiring medical aid.
The operation is part of “Operation Metro Surge,” which has resulted in over 400 arrests since early December, targeting individuals with criminal records or immigration violations. DHS officials maintain the actions prioritize public safety, while local leaders condemn them as disruptive to communities. State Rep. Aisha Gomez, present at the scene, described it as a “full-on federal invasion,” with some protesters coughing from chemical exposure.
Community advocates report heightened fear in immigrant neighborhoods, with businesses closing early and families avoiding public spaces. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey reiterated the city’s non-cooperation with ICE on civil matters, urging calm amid protests. As enforcement continues, the standoff underscores deepening divides over immigration policy, with non-lethal tools like pepper balls becoming flashpoints in urban confrontations.
