This week’s edition covers stories
from January 2026.
Today’s issue is 726 words, a 6-minute read
Hey folks, Mateo here.
Welcome to the first monthly edition of NewPrensa. As we enter 2026, we’re shifting to a monthly format to provide you with deeper, more comprehensive coverage of the issues affecting Minnesota’s diverse communities. Over the next few months, you may notice some changes to our cadence and structure as we refine this new approach, but our commitment remains the same: to keep you informed, engaged, and connected to what matters most.
January 2026 has been one of the most difficult months in Minnesota’s recent history. Operation Metro Surge transformed our neighborhoods into zones of fear and uncertainty, with federal immigration enforcement reaching unprecedented levels. As we move into February, we want to look back at where we’ve been and where we’re headed.
January 2026: Subzero Protests
and Federal Occupation
Operation Metro Surge: A Month of Federal Occupation
January began with the deployment of approximately 3,000 federal immigration agents to Minnesota, transforming Minneapolis and St. Paul into what many described as an occupied city. The month was marked by two tragic deaths: on January 7, ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old poet and mother of three, and on January 24, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employee, was shot multiple times and killed by federal agents. Both were U.S. citizens documenting federal enforcement operations in their communities.
In response to mounting public pressure and plummeting poll numbers, President Trump removed Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino from his position overseeing Minnesota operations and deployed Border Czar Tom Homan to manage the situation. On February 4, Homan announced a drawdown of 700 federal officers, leaving approximately 2,000 agents still in the state—a 25% reduction. Homan cited “unprecedented cooperation” from local authorities as the reason for the reduction, though Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated that 2,000 ICE officers “is not de-escalation” and called for Operation Metro Surge to end immediately.
The human cost has been staggering. Businesses along Lake Street saw revenue drops of 50-80%, schools went into lockdowns, and families remained too afraid to leave their homes. Minneapolis police worked over 3,000 hours of overtime in just the first days after Good’s killing, costing taxpayers more than $2 million.
Resources
- MIRAC – Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee.
- Defend 612 – Block organizing, ICE watch and rapid response, and school protection groups.
- Neighborhood House MN – food housing, and essentials for immigrants and refugees.
- Minnesota ICE Watch – autonomous collective reporting, documenting, and resisting ICE. Uses funds for mutual aid.
- Unidos MN
- COPAL
- MIM – Minnesota Immigrant Movement
Artists Use Grammys Platform to Protest ICE
On February 1, music’s biggest night became a platform for protest as artists spoke out against Trump’s immigration enforcement tactics. Bad Bunny opened his acceptance speech for Best Música Urbana Album by declaring “ICE out” before telling the audience: “We’re not savage. We’re not animals. We’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”
Billie Eilish, who won Song of the Year for “Wildflower,” stated “No one is illegal on stolen land” and called for continued resistance, while Justin and Hailey Bieber, Joni Mitchell, Kehlani, and dozens of other artists wore “ICE OUT” pins throughout the ceremony. Justin Vernon of Bon Iver wore a whistle pin to honor observers in Minneapolis who blow whistles to warn residents when ICE agents arrive.
Bad Bunny’s Grammy moment comes one week before he headlines the Super Bowl LX halftime show this Sunday, making history as the first Spanish-language Latin solo artist and first reggaeton artist to perform at halftime. The NFL has defended the decision despite backlash from some who oppose a Spanish-language artist critical of Trump taking the prestigious stage.
Timberwolves Make Moves Ahead of Trade Deadline
On February 3, the Timberwolves traded fan favorite Mike Conley to the Chicago Bulls as part of a three-team deal that also sent a 2026 first-round pick swap to Detroit. The move drops the Wolves’ luxury tax bill from $24 million to $3.8 million, creating significant financial flexibility ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.
Conley, 38, struggled this season, averaging just 4.4 points and 2.9 assists on 32.2% shooting in his 19th NBA season. The trade appears designed to clear cap space for a potential blockbuster deal, with widespread rumors that Minnesota is pursuing Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. Timberwolves fans should brace themselves for potential major changes as the Thursday afternoon deadline approaches.
Stay informed, stay connected.
See you next week!
–
Mateo and the NewPrensa team
Hi, friend: Mateo here!
I’m a Communications Specialist by day and reading by night!
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