An after-action review initiated by Minneapolis City Council members, including Ward 9's Jason Chavez, has cast a critical light on the failings of local leadership to effectively communicate during a federal operation in the city. As reported by Chavez in a Facebook post, this review underscores the gaps left by Mayor Frey's administration regarding a June 3 Homeland Security Task Force event, revealing that both the City Council and the public were devoid of prompt, critical information.
The operation, described by Chavez as having involved armored vehicles, hand ties out in the open, federal agents with face coverings, federal agents carrying assault rifles, and militarized law enforcement, took place on East Lake Street—a neighborhood known for its diverse immigrant community. The involvement of ICE and the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) without a strong separation ordinance, which aims to protect immigrant communities from federal immigration enforcement, has led many like Chavez to criticize the city's current stance. Chavez explicitly stated, “If we as a community do not question federal agents, and instead allow them to come to our city in the way they did, we are telling our immigrant communities that as their local government, we will not protect them in their own homes.”
This report highlighted that major stakeholders, such as the City Council and the broader community, were only notified of the federal action hours after it had already been communicated to the Police Chief and Mayor. To directly quote from Chavez’s official statement, “City communication records show that the full City Council was notified through official channels at 1:50 p.m., nearly four hours after the Chief of Police was notified and three hours after the mayor was notified.” Such delays are seen to have exacerbated the situation and mistrust among the affected communities.
Underlining the importance of disseminating information to those at risk, Chavez further argued that “knowing that ICE was in the area is and will always be crucial for our community.” Given the diverse makeup of the area, and the fear experienced by immigrant families of potential separation, being left uninformed was more than an oversight—it was perceived as a dereliction of duty. In the words of Chavez, “To be left in the dark was inconsiderate and irresponsible.”
The Facebook post went on to stress the importance of amending the current separation ordinance, which allows some collaboration with ICE, asserting that it does not sufficiently protect the community. Chavez has experienced pushback in the past when seeking to strengthen these protections, but remains hopeful for progress following this incident and the corresponding review. “I am hopeful that this time it will be different,” stated Chavez, as he envisions a pathway forward with a hardened separation ordinance that aligns with the safety and trust of his constituents.
In closing his statement, Chavez reiterated that the presence of ICE and the response—or lack thereof—of the mayor's administration did not align with the community's needs and values. With the report's findings, it appears that a stronger, more communicative response is needed for Minneapolis to ensure trust and safety, particularly for its most vulnerable residents.
