It has been over 6 months since the height of Metro Surge that terrorized our cities and ripped families apart. With all that has happened since then it is easy to forget just how profound the harm was. As we prepare our hearts and minds for the next election, the possible outcomes of that election, and our Christian action options, we felt it important to remind ourselves and each other of what happened and how faithful Christians responded.
Clergy, activists protest ICE at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
by Kerem Yücel and Regina Medina
Published by MPR News on January 23, 2026
Clergy members and community activists stood in extreme subzero weather Friday at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, calling on airline companies to speak out against the immigration enforcement surge of federal agents in the Twin Cities.
With temperatures near 20 degrees below zero and a weather advisory in effect, demonstrators urged Delta Air Lines, Signature Aviation and other companies to end cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
Police detained some protesters during the action. The group Faith in Minnesota said later that 100 clergy members had been arrested.
“They’re taking neighbors. They’re taking workers. They’re taking the people that make our city run, and we won’t stand for it. We won’t let them divide us,” said Elan Axelbank, an organizer with Socialist Alternative. “We stand united to defend our immigrant neighbors, and we say immigrants are welcome here.”
A spokesperson for the airport said it worked with protest organizers to accommodate their right to freedom of expression and that airport police made arrests when the protest went beyond the agreed-upon terms, including surpassing the number of agreed-upon participants and the designated location.
The action was part of the “ICE Out of Minnesota: A Day of Truth and Freedom,” an all-day general strike with schools, businesses and shops closing to protest ICE.
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