Minneapolis Reels as Immigration Crackdown Tears Families Apart
A wave of immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis has left the community in mourning and sparked widespread concern. Since December, Operation Metro Surge has led to over 3,000 arrests of individuals alleged to lack authorized immigration status. The deaths of two residents, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, along with high-profile detentions, have deepened anger and grief across the city.
Local Catholic leaders have spoken out, calling for reform while grappling with the impact on their congregations. Many of those targeted—80% of them Christian, with 61% identifying as Catholic—have left families and faith communities in distress.
The crackdown began in December with Operation Metro Surge, a sweeping enforcement effort under the Trump administration. By early 2020, at least 3,000 people had been detained for alleged immigration violations. Among the most publicized cases was the arrest of Francisco Paredes, a longtime maintenance contractor at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish. Witnesses reported ICE agents detaining him in the church car park, raising suspicions of surveillance on sacred ground.
The deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti further inflamed tensions. Their losses, alongside incidents like the detention of Liam Conejo Ramos, have left the Twin Cities reeling. Father Daniel Griffith of the Basilica of St. Mary described the grief as overwhelming, particularly after Pretti's death. Father Paul Haverstock, pastor of St. Gabriel the Archangel, noted that even those with legal status now live in fear of sudden ICE actions.
The operations initially fell under Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, who oversaw enforcement in Minneapolis. After the deaths and mounting criticism, President Donald Trump removed Bovino from his post. In his place, the administration dispatched Tom Homan, a veteran immigration official known for his hardline stance.
Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis responded by urging comprehensive immigration reform. He offered prayers for those affected but acknowledged deep divisions among Catholics. Some parishioners struggle to reconcile the bishops' teachings on welcoming migrants with the views of fellow Catholics who support stricter enforcement. Zuly Duarte-Jaimes, a naturalized U.S. citizen and Catholic volunteer, voiced her heartbreak over the treatment of immigrants, emphasizing the lasting trauma on families.
The enforcement surge has reshaped life in Minneapolis, leaving behind detained individuals, grieving families, and a fractured community. With 80% of those targeted identifying as Christian—and the majority as Catholic—the operations have forced local churches to confront both pastoral and political challenges. As calls for reform grow louder, the long-term effects on trust, safety, and cohesion in the Twin Cities remain uncertain.
