On NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey responded to criticism of his comments about federal immigration enforcement and the ICE-involved shooting that has sparked national controversy. Host Kristen Welker asked whether Frey stood by earlier remarks questioning the presence and conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis and whether he supported abolishing the agency.
Frey clarified that he did not say ICE itself is unconstitutional, but rather that the way the Trump administration is using ICE in Minneapolis is unconstitutional. He argued that immigration enforcement in the city has been conducted in a discriminatory manner, targeting individuals based on perceived nationality, particularly Latino and Somali residents. Frey said it is unlawful to detain people simply because of how they look or where they are from.
Welker then asked if he supported abolishing ICE altogether. Frey rejected the idea of dismantling the agency, saying he does not believe in eliminating the entire entity that enforces immigration law. He compared the issue to other federal departments, saying he was not calling for the abolition of the Department of Justice or the Office of Management and Budget either. His criticism, he said, is about how these institutions are being used under the Trump administration, not their existence.
His comments come just days after an ICE agent fatally shot a woman during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis. The incident has triggered widespread protests, with city leaders demanding transparency and questioning the official account of the shooting. Frey and other local officials have called the federal operation reckless and warned that continued actions of this kind would only heighten tensions and erode trust.
Frey also accused ICE of engaging in what he described as unconstitutional practices by detaining individuals without probable cause. He said that reports of citizens, including pregnant women and teenagers, being detained or harassed solely based on appearance were deeply concerning and required urgent review.
As the city continues to deal with the aftermath of the shooting and the broader implications of ICE’s presence, Frey’s comments have fueled a larger debate over federal power, public safety, and the role of local governance in immigration enforcement.
