Minnesota Crackdown Sparks Federal Charges Against 15 Protesters

Fifteen people in Minnesota have been charged with conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers in connection with the state’s immigration crackdown (Operation Metro Surge). Prosecutors say the defendants were tied to two Minneapolis antifa‑linked groups and coordinated efforts to block immigration enforcement, including via encrypted chats and social media posts; 12 were arrested, with two at large. The indictment, part of ongoing investigations that could yield more charges, follows a broader set of prosecutions tied to protests during the crackdown and comes as protests and related fatalities are noted in the surrounding context.