Unmarked federal vehicles that residents say looked like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement units were spotted Thursday morning in the Powderhorn and Corcoran neighborhoods of south Minneapolis, according to Minneapolis City Council member Jason Chavez. In a social media post, Chavez urged neighbors to look out for one another while he tracks what is going on. The sighting comes after months of heightened concern over ICE activity across the city.
In his Facebook post, Chavez wrote that "ICE vehicles have been seen this morning in the Corcoran and Powderhorn neighborhoods" and asked residents for extra community support. He did not share any details about possible stops, encounters, or arrests. Chavez represents Ward 9, which includes both neighborhoods.
The council member’s post also did not indicate whether anyone had been detained, and it is not yet clear whether federal or local officials have issued any formal statements about Thursday morning’s sightings.
The City of Minneapolis’ FAQ on immigration enforcement notes that the Minneapolis Police Department "was not informed of this operation and did not participate" and that ICE is not required to notify local police in advance of its actions, according to the City of Minneapolis.
Recent Federal Activity Near Powderhorn
Federal activity in and around Powderhorn has been a flashpoint for months. In February, federal agents in tactical gear were reported to have used chemical irritants and detained an observer at Powderhorn Park, an incident that sparked public outrage, according to Bring Me The News.
Coverage of ICE operations in south Minneapolis has documented a series of actions that pushed some City Council members and advocates to call for tighter oversight and limits on how federal agencies use public spaces for staging, as reported by the Minnesota Reformer.
Neighbors Call For Accountability
Neighborhood groups, including the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association and the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, have publicly urged federal agencies to stop using parks and municipal lots as staging grounds, arguing that such activity "militarizes" community spaces, according to their statements.
The PPNA has advised residents to document any sightings and connect with immigrant-rights groups for support. City leaders, meanwhile, have been debating local measures aimed at limiting federal staging on public property while continuing to push for more transparency and accountability, as covered by MPR News.
Resources And Safety Tips
Organizers say that if you see federal vehicles in your neighborhood, you should keep a safe distance, note identifying details only if it feels safe, and share information with trusted community groups rather than confronting officers directly.
The City’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs maintains a list of legal clinics and support services, while the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee offers “Know Your Rights” materials and contact information for volunteers and observers. For more information, visit the City Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs and MIRAC.
Chavez said he will share more information as he receives it, and neighbors in Ward 9 are closely following local outlets and community networks for real-time updates. Officials had not immediately released additional details when his post was published.
