On Monday, federal agents used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters gathered outside a federal building in Minneapolis. The demonstrators were rallying against immigration enforcement efforts in the Twin Cities.
The confrontation took place at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, which hosts numerous federal agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, along with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
According to authorities, the standoff began when protesters started throwing snowballs at federal vehicles.
During the protests on January 12, 2026, a firework detonated near the fencing outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)
After issuing warnings, agents resorted to using crowd-control measures against the group of around 80 to 90 demonstrators. As tear gas and rubber bullets were deployed, many protesters fled the scene.
While retreating, one protester threw a firework over a fence, which exploded shortly after. Other fireworks were also launched toward the agents, creating dazzling displays in the night sky.
Officers and agents maintained a perimeter around the building late Monday, and it was unclear whether any arrests had been made.
The unrest came as Minnesota, joined by the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to halt or limit a surge of federal immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities.
WATCH: Anti-ICE agitators harass federal agents in Minneapolis
“This is, in essence, a federal invasion of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, and it must stop,” state Attorney General Keith Ellison said at a news conference.
The lawsuit alleges the Department of Homeland Security violated the First Amendment and other constitutional protections, accusing the Trump administration of targeting a progressive, Democratic-leaning state that welcomes immigrants. The suit claims the federal operation has flooded the Twin Cities with armed agents, sparked fear and unrest, and interfered with state and local authorities.
Fireworks are set off by protesters outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)
According to court filings, the plaintiffs accuse federal immigration agents of carrying out militarized raids across the Twin Cities, including stops at schools and hospitals, engaging in racial profiling, warrantless arrests and excessive force, and overwhelming local law enforcement. The lawsuit claims the enforcement surge was politically motivated retaliation rather than legitimate immigration enforcement.
The legal action comes nearly a week after an ICE agent shot and killed a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman during a federal enforcement operation in south Minneapolis. Federal officials said agents were attempting to make arrests when the woman tried to use her vehicle as a weapon against officers, prompting an agent to fire in self-defense.
Fireworks are set off by protesters outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Minneapolis.
The Department of Homeland Security said more than 2,000 arrests have been made in Minnesota since December as part of what ICE has described as its largest enforcement operation in the state.
ICE officials on Saturday released a shocking list of the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal immigrants arrested during their recent surge. ICE officials said those arrested during the surge included convicted murderers, child rapists, pedophiles, domestic abusers and other violent offenders.
