MINNEAPOLIS. MN January 27, 2026 – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) took to social media platform X on Tuesday to share a clip from Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night monologue, urging bipartisan agreement that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in Minnesota have gone too far. The post, which has garnered thousands of views, highlights growing discontent with the federal agency’s “Operation Metro Surge,” a large-scale deportation effort that has led to arrests, protests, and tragic fatalities.
In her post, Klobuchar wrote: “We don’t have to agree on everything, but can we all agree that what ICE is doing in Minnesota is wrong? A passionate appeal from Jimmy Kimmel.” The accompanying video features Kimmel delivering an impassioned address on his show, decrying the shootings of two American citizens during ICE operations. He referenced the death of Rene Goodwin, a 37-year-old mother of three killed while driving her Honda SUV after dropping her child at school, and Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse shot 10 times while attempting to protect a woman. Kimmel questioned the justification for these incidents, comparing them to past controversies like the Kyle Rittenhouse case, and called for investigations and accountability from the Department of Homeland Security.
Kimmel’s monologue emphasized the fear gripping Minneapolis residents: “Every day is a nightmare now. My wife and I have family in Minneapolis [who] are afraid to take their kids to school, they’re afraid to go to work.” He appealed for unity, asking, “Can we agree that peaceful protesters… don’t deserve to be shot dead in the street by people who are paying to protect us?” The host criticized what he sees as poor leadership, suggesting the operations target cities that didn’t support President Donald Trump.
The backdrop to this appeal is Operation Metro Surge, launched earlier this month, which deployed 2,000 federal agents to the Minneapolis area—the largest immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history. ICE officials maintain the focus is on removing “the worst of the worst,” including criminal noncitizens convicted of serious offenses like murder and child rape. As of January 19, the agency reported over 3,000 arrests, many of whom had evaded deportation for years due to Minnesota’s sanctuary policies. “Some of these criminal aliens have had final orders of removal for 30 years, but they’ve been free to terrorize Minnesotans,” an ICE statement read.
However, the operation has sparked widespread backlash. Protests have erupted across the state, culminating in a general strike and demonstrations outside Klobuchar’s office demanding an end to ICE funding. Critics argue the surge has escalated tensions, leading to unnecessary violence and deaths, including at least six immigrants in ICE custody this year alone. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has engaged with the Trump administration, stating that the president agreed to “consider” reducing the number of agents. Meanwhile, state officials, including the Attorney General and cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, have filed lawsuits to halt the operations.
Klobuchar, who has called for ICE to withdraw from Minnesota, echoed Kimmel’s sentiments at a recent press conference, noting that ICE agents outnumber local police and are “making us less safe.” She has demanded greater oversight following the shootings and deportations.
Supporters of the ICE actions, including some Republican voices, argue that pausing operations would undermine border security and allow dangerous individuals to remain. Reports suggest the Trump administration aims to eventually scale back the presence in Minnesota, potentially redirecting resources elsewhere.
Reactions to Klobuchar’s post on X were mixed, with many conservative users dismissing Kimmel as a “liberal-pandering” figure and defending the deportations. One reply stated, “We voted for this shit!” while another called Kimmel a “parasite.” Progressive commenters praised the senator for speaking out.
As tensions continue, Minnesota remains a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration enforcement, with calls for reform echoing from Hollywood to the halls of Congress.
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