ICE cleared detainees from a Minneapolis federal building just before Rep. Ilhan Omar’s scheduled oversight visit, leaving the congresswoman with an empty facility and no one to “support” in what many see as a masterful response to political theater.
Story Snapshot
- ICE transferred detainees from Whipple Federal Building before scheduled February 20 visit by Reps. Ilhan Omar and Angie Craig
- Operation Metro Surge officially ended after arresting 3,000 individuals in Minneapolis area since late 2025
- Federal judge previously issued restraining order citing nearly 100 ICE violations of court orders in January alone
- Congressional Democrats criticized detention conditions but were denied initial access for lacking seven-day notice
ICE Completes Minnesota Operations Ahead of Congressional Visit
Federal immigration officials announced the conclusion of Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota just days before Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Angie Craig planned to revisit the Whipple Federal Building on February 20, 2026. The timing left the facility potentially empty of detainees, effectively rendering the congressional oversight visit moot. ICE conducted the surge operation across Minneapolis-Saint Paul beginning in late 2025, deploying over 2,000 ICE agents and 1,000 CBP officers to enforce immigration law in an area known for sanctuary policies and resistance to federal enforcement.
Democrats Denied Access Over Procedural Requirements
Omar, Craig, and Rep. Kelly Morrison initially attempted to access the Whipple facility in early January but were denied entry by DHS officials citing a requirement for seven-day advance notice. Rep. Morrison later gained solo access in mid-January and reported what she characterized as “unacceptable” conditions including leg shackles, cold floors, and lack of basic amenities like beds, blankets, and showers. This denial of immediate access to elected representatives raises legitimate questions about Congressional oversight, though federal facilities maintain security protocols for valid operational reasons including officer safety and detainee privacy.
ICE's Epic Troll (a Classic Rope-a-Dope): Detainees Gone Before Ilhan Omar Arrives to 'Support' Them https://t.co/lWo4C2mueU
— Twitchy Updates (@Twitchy_Updates) February 21, 2026
Federal Judge Orders Improved Conditions Amid Violations
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order in late January mandating better detainee access to legal counsel after reports of barriers, freezing cells, and unsanitary conditions. Judge Schiltz noted ICE violated nearly 100 court orders in January alone, an unprecedented level of noncompliance that demands accountability regardless of political perspective. The court also ordered the release of wrongfully detained individuals, including U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents caught in the enforcement sweep. These judicial interventions suggest operational problems that transcend partisan disagreements about immigration policy, pointing to concerning execution issues during the surge.
Operation Metro Surge Results and Community Impact
ICE reported arresting approximately 3,000 individuals in the Minneapolis area during Operation Metro Surge, with detainee flights doubling between December and January. The operation significantly impacted local immigrant communities, with food pantry visits dropping 50 to 80 percent as residents feared ICE stakeouts at assistance sites. Economic distress followed, with eviction filings increasing and local businesses suffering as residents avoided public spaces. The Minneapolis Park Board enacted an eviction moratorium in February 2026 specifically tied to the surge’s economic impacts on vulnerable populations in North and Northeast Minneapolis neighborhoods.
Broader Implications for Immigration Enforcement
The Whipple Building episode illustrates the complex dynamics between federal immigration enforcement and local resistance in sanctuary jurisdictions under the Trump administration’s renewed border security focus. While ICE achieved substantial arrest numbers, the operation generated over 33 wrongful detention lawsuits, including cases involving U.S. citizens mistakenly arrested, raising concerns about due process. The timing of detainee transfers before Omar’s visit, whether intentional or coincidental, undermined the oversight purpose while maintaining operational security. Minnesota DFL legislators responded with proposed bills limiting state cooperation with ICE operations, setting up continued federal-state tensions over immigration enforcement authority and community protection.
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ICE's Epic Troll (a Classic Rope-a-Dope): Detainees Gone Before Ilhan Omar Arrives to 'Support' Them https://t.co/Eh9XJx4vgq— Chuck Nellis The Phoenix (@ChuckThePhoenix) February 21, 2026
Sources:
CBS News Minnesota – Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig Return to Whipple Building
Wikipedia – Operation Metro Surge
Bring Me The News – List of ICE Raids, Major Updates in Minnesota on Friday, Feb 20
