Greater Mankato ICE Watch

08/19/2026

🔊 Have you heard about the "Minnesota 15" and "Operation Puppet Master?" 🛡️

In June, federal prosecutors charged 15 Minnesotans with "conspiracy to impede or injure federal immigration officers," among other charges such as "interstate stalking" and "assault on a federal officer" for their role in resisting Operation Metro Surge via direct action.

For most Minnesotans, the charges came out of nowhere; for Minnesotans on the front lines, the charges confirmed something they already knew: Uncle Sam is watching.

The full scope of federal surveillance became clear this month with the release of discovery documents (made public via Defendant Sant's Motion for Discovery Under Rule 16 and Brady/Giglio). We learned that, starting in January, DHS placed (and is certainly still placing) undercover agents in rapid response chats and community meetings & events. DHS also collected resisters' personal information, building dossiers on possibly hundreds of Minnesotans. The documents also reference Clearview AI, "Project Whipple Shield," and "Operation Keyhole"

This isn't really about the Minnesota 15. These "Operations" and "Projects" raise serious questions about the federal government's surveillance of Minnesotans who organize, protest, and resist the T. administration. When community meetings and rapid-response networks become targets of federal investigation, EVERYONE who participates in civic life has reason to pay attention.

The message from the federal government is clear: they are watching us.
Our response should be equally clear: we will not be intimidated.

1. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28266882-indictment-minnesota-immigration-15-defendants-unsealed-61626/
2. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/federal-prosecutors-charge-15-people-with-conspiracy-to-impede-agents-during-minnesota-immigration-crackdown
3. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/us/politics/dhs-inquiry-immigration-protests-minnesota.html
4. https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234415/gov.uscourts.mnd.234415.212.0.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawTxNRxwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMVhYZHpPT21iQkJCSkFhdzhzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEevDzgz3Dphr2HlaKPTtYh6XZH9qANPWqCvQ7cuwtA9kvSNALr_5zH10ZXzcA_aem_rZqR8PEYF54bGCe00Alb_Q
Image: artist unknown (let us know if you know who to credit!)

08/17/2026

DHS is opening an "immigrant detention center" this month in Appleton, MN. A former prison, operated by CoreCivic, will hold about 1,600 people detained by ICE.

As recently as July, investigations have revealed horrific conditions for people detained by ICE:
• use of chemical agents and gross physical force against individuals requesting food and water
• medical neglect, including cases in which one man nearly lost his leg to flesh-eating bacteria, and another man's prostate cancer went untreated for over 6 months
• refused access to legal counsel
• rampant sexual abuse against adults and children
• the highest detainee death rate in over a decade

CoreCivic's labor practices further warrant a side-eye: since 2000, they have paid over $23 million for 29 employment- and safety-related offences. On Indeed, CoreCivic only scores a 2.8 out of 5, with current and former employees talking about hostile work environments, poor work-life balance, and weak benefits packages. Lawsuits against the company include claims of unpaid wages.

This detention center isn’t just a problem for the people held inside its walls: it makes a bad neighbor for ALL Minnesotans. DHS and CoreCivic are bringing a troubling record of abuse, neglect, labor violations, and poor working conditions to our backyard.

Mad as hell, and not going to take this anymore?
Join other good neighbors on Thursday from 2-6:30pm at the Flags of Honor site in Appleton AND stay tuned for more information about opportunities to support and stand in solidarity with immigrants in Minnesota.

08/16/2026

👀 In case you missed it. . .
Last week, the Mankato City Council made it official: The City of Mankato and its employees will NOT enforce federal immigration laws “except as otherwise required by law."

Let's break it down ⛏️⛏️⛏️
P1: Mankato residents appreciated the temporary measure Mankato City Council (MCC) took in February, banning federal law enforcement from covering their face and requiring visible identification.

P2: The City of Mankato (CoM) does not enforce federal immigration law, and the Mankato Public Safety (MPS) will not enforce federal immigration law UNLESS "otherwise required by law."

P3: MPS will not detain people just to establish immigration status or enforce civil immigration law. MPS will not wear face coverings except "when allowed" under MN law.

P4: CoM's public buildings and property cannot be used by federal immigration enforcement. City resources cannot be used to control public areas on behalf of federal immigration law enforcement.

P5: CoM will not sign an agreement authorizing city employees, including MPS, to investigate, arrest, detain, or transport noncitizens on behalf of DHS, ICE, etc.

P6: CoM will not share data gathered by Flock or other license plate readers/camera to enforce federal immigration law.

P7: CoM will not share body cam data and footage in keeping with these statutes: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/13.825

P8: The City Manager (Susan Arntz) and City Attorney (Kennedy & Graven - Pam Whitmore) will stay updated on the relationship between the Constitution, local regulations, and federal immigration law.

P9: MCC asks that the MPS advisory committee review Chapter/Policy 414, which can be found at https://www.mankatomn.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/15914/638971526636500000. MCC will also share a copy of this resolution with all CoM employees.

This resolution went into effect on August 10, 2025.

08/11/2026

TODAY, August 11th! Get out there and VOTE 🗳️

Tomorrow, August 11 is Primary Election Day!

Please visit blueearthcountymn.gov/326/Elections for information regarding:
- Voter Registration
- Polling Locations
- Important Election days to come

Tomorrow's primary election ties to the General Election on November 3.

08/09/2026

Being aware of where flock cameras are located in your area is good practice to allow you to make informed decisions about your privacy and movements. We like this map: https://deflock.org

In Mankato, there are several flock cams located by the mall. There are also cams in Kasota and St. Peter. See photos.

Stay informed, stay safe .

07/30/2026

*We deleted our last post, which included sensitive information*

‼️ST PETER + MANKATO
3:04pm: 751RUT was spotted in St. Peter at MN-22 on 169-N
2:24pm: 751RUT was spotted on 169-S, passing LeSueur
1:37pm: A Gray Ford Explorer (MN 751RUT) involved in abductions as recently as Tuesday heading south from the metro. The driver and passenger are masked.

07/20/2026

Despite the narrative that they only go after “the worst of the worst”, data shows that only about 3% of people detained by ICE in the last 14 months had a violent felony conviction.

07/13/2026

👇👇👇

ICE is the most well-funded terrorist organization in US history.

07/13/2026

Here is some updated data 📊 on ICE abductions in the state of MN as of 7/9/26. A few trends we have noticed:
- In the past month, Sunday and Monday have seen the most attempted ICE abductions (this is new)
- The increase in recent weeks is primarily driven by Greater MN

What do you notice? 🤔

07/08/2026

‼️RURAL MN- WORTHINGTON TO MARSHALL

These confirmed ICE 🧊 vehicles were spotted this morning in Worthington, and have now traveled to Marshall, MN. Please be aware of these vehicles, all South Dakota plates. Agents are in plain clothes 👕

Black Ford F150 SD # 44RAU4
White Jeep Wagoneer SD # 1KG356
Black Ford Explorer SD # 2EP515

UPDATE 2:00PM- Vehicles have not been located again since 1:30PM. Observers believe they may be operating in rural areas between the two towns. Please send sightings to your trusted local network and/or this page.

Stay aware, stay safe 💙