Over 100 Faith Leaders Arrested at Minneapolis Airport in Anti-ICE Protest Amid Freezing Temperatures
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — In a dramatic display of civil disobedience on January 23, more than 100 clergy and faith leaders were arrested at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) during an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protest. Despite frigid temperatures dipping to -20°F, demonstrators gathered to call on airlines, particularly Delta and Signature Aviation, to cease cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
The group Faith in Minnesota, which advocates for racial and economic justice, organized the protest and shared video footage on social media showing rows of clergy kneeling in peaceful resistance as law enforcement officers escorted them one by one to waiting buses for transport to jail. The protestors demanded that airlines refuse to assist ICE in detaining or deporting immigrants, a move they argue would protect vulnerable communities from federal immigration actions.
Authorities at MSP responded by making multiple arrests, emphasizing the importance of maintaining airport security and ensuring uninterrupted travel operations. The protest took place amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis following recent incidents involving federal immigration agents, including a Border Patrol-involved shooting that has sparked widespread demonstrations throughout the city.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversees ICE operations and has consistently maintained that cooperation between federal agencies and private entities, including airlines, is crucial for enforcing immigration laws. However, activists contend that such cooperation leads to racial profiling and unjust targeting of immigrant communities.
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, a major transportation hub, has seen increased security measures in recent years, partly due to the national debate over immigration enforcement. The protestors’ call for airlines to reject ICE cooperation echoes similar demands made in other cities, where faith leaders have taken prominent roles in advocating for immigrant rights.
Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta but with a significant presence at MSP, has not publicly changed its policies regarding federal immigration enforcement cooperation. Signature Aviation, a fixed-base operator providing services at MSP, also faces pressure from activists urging it to sever ties with ICE.
While the protest was largely peaceful, the arrests underscore the ongoing conflict between federal immigration authorities and local activists. The American Civil Liberties Union and other advocacy groups have frequently criticized ICE’s enforcement tactics, calling for reforms that protect civil rights and due process.
As Minneapolis continues to grapple with immigration-related tensions, the arrests of clergy at MSP highlight the role of faith communities in the national conversation about immigration policy and enforcement. The demonstrators’ willingness to face arrest in subzero temperatures signals a deep commitment to their cause, one that is likely to fuel further activism in the region.
For more information on federal immigration enforcement and airport security policies, visit the Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection websites.
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