Over a dozen workers at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) have been detained by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to statements from local union representatives. The detentions occurred as airport employees arrived for their shifts, marking a significant enforcement operation that has heightened tensions within the airport community.
The three-week operation is part of ICE’s intensified oversight of MSP, which has seen agents stationed throughout the airport, including on jetbridges where they check documents of both travelers and workers. This initiative is part of a larger immigration enforcement effort in the Minneapolis area, which has experienced increased civil unrest in recent years.
According to a report from CBS News, many of the detained workers were employed in hospitality roles, such as retail and dining. Wade Luneburg, the political director of Unite Here Local 17, shared that several individuals were apprehended soon after they passed through TSA security checkpoints. Others were taken while they were on duty. The union emphasized that these workers had already undergone background checks and held legal work authorizations.
In a leaked memo obtained by FOX 9 MSP, further details emerged about ICE’s expanded activities at the airport. The memo indicated that ICE agents would be deployed across more areas of the airport, including inside terminals and on jetbridges, to conduct document checks. While U.S. citizens are not legally required to show identification to ICE agents, they are advised to cooperate to avoid misunderstandings that could lead to detention.
Reports have surfaced of U.S. citizens being detained despite presenting valid identification, raising concerns about potential violations of the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches. As MSP serves as a major hub for Delta Air Lines, travelers have been alerted to the possibility of document checks and questioning as they navigate the airport.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) has stated that its Airport Police Department does not receive advance notice of ICE enforcement activities and does not coordinate with the agency. However, it clarified that federal agents are granted broad access to airport facilities, both landside and airside.
In recent weeks, MSP has seen an increase in deportation flights, rising from one or two weekly to approximately two daily flights, according to MPR News. This surge in enforcement activity has prompted protests around the airport, as community members voice their opposition to the heightened presence of immigration agents.
The ongoing situation at MSP reflects broader national debates surrounding immigration enforcement practices, particularly in sensitive public spaces like airports. As the operation continues, the community remains on high alert, balancing the need for security with the rights of workers and travelers.
