Justin Oakman

I just got off the phone with Elizabeth's dad...she and her mom were freed tonight! Updated story: sahanjournal.com/education/co...

"Jon secured pro bono representation by ACLU attorneys, who argue that the government is violating a statute that limits how administrative subpoenas can be used for “immigration enforcement” and that the government targeted Jon for protected speech."

Signs of MN.

ICE detains two more students from Liam Ramos’s school, officials say The brothers’ mother was taken by ICE and Minnesota educators were forced to bring the children to her

Liam, 5, has been freed, but four other students from his school district remain detained in Texas. Two boys from his elementary school were taken Thurs

“This isn’t something we are prepared or trained for. We’ve dedicated our lives to protecting + educating children,” school superintendent told me

Protest sign from MN that says, “DEARLY BELOVED. WE ARE GATHERED HERE TODAY TODISMANTLE THIS THING CALLED ICE.” with a picture of Prince in the left hand lower corner.

10/10 ICE protest sign

3/
- being a Somali American citizen in the wrong place, wrong time
- being a Latina American citizen business owner, not carrying proof of citizenship near her restaurant

"The judge told him you don't need documentation when you're a citizen. But now...that doesn't seem so true anymore."

2/ Some of the violations for which *U.S. citizens* were detained or accosted:
- citizen driving to the doctor "ignored multiple commands"
- being a Hmong American n
citizen in the wrong place, wrong time

Minnesota citizens detained by ICE are left rattled, even weeks later The number of immigration agents in Minnesota may be reduced, but they'll leave leave behind a changed community, including many U.S. citizens questioned and detained in recent weeks.

While I'm buoyed by the news of Liam Conejo Ramos returning home to MN, important reminder that ICE & CBP actions continue to violate civil & constitutional rights for U.S. citizens, lawful residents & refugees.

Minnesota citizens detained by ICE are left rattled www.npr.org/2026/02/01/n...

In a scathing order, a judge orders the release of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father.

“Philadelphia, September 17, 1787: "Well, Dr. Franklin, what do we have?" "A republic, if you can keep it."
With a judicial finger in the constitutional dike, It is so ORDERED.”

Minneapolis is trying out new forms of resistance. They're doing pop-up blockade block parties. This one is on Cedar and 34th, a main route into the city. They have a stereo, food & a fire. MPD is present but not interfering. Lots of honks of support. ICE agents have been reported detouring around.

Just reposting this - my story this week is part of this week's cover package on Minneapolis and the rise of what we call "America's paramilitary peril."

www.economist.com/united-state...

Minnesotans:
The Whipple Building (ICE HQ) is down by the airport in Bloomington, right off 62. There’s loads of free parking. Also, loads of protesters, people from all over the country, and reporters from all over the world. When vehicles go by, some are SUVs with occupants averting their eyes…

St. Peter police chief intervenes, prevents federal agents from arresting resident The police chief of St. Peter intervened to prevent federal agents from taking a local resident who was observing ICE enforcement actions into custody. It is believed to the first time local police in...

"MPR News has learned that the police chief in the small southern Minnesota city of St. Peter intervened Thursday afternoon to prevent federal immigration agents from arresting a local resident" who had been observing federal agents. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Don Lemon's arrest escalates DOJ crackdown on Black journalists The Trump administration is invoking a Reconstruction-era law meant to protect Black people from the KKK.

The Trump administration is invoking a Reconstruction-era law meant to protect Black people from the KKK to target Black journalists and activists.

1A: "Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press..."

The Minnesota Star Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio, the Minnesota Reformer, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Sahan Journal, Center for Broadcast Journalism and Minnesota Newspaper Association today released the following statement: “We strongly condemn the arrest of journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon, as well as any attempt to intimidate members of the press. The First Amendment recognizes the press as holding a distinct and protected role in our democracy. In America, we do not arrest journalists for doing their jobs. The Minnesota journalism community stands united in defense of press freedom and the essential role reporting plays in holding power to account.”

The Minnesota Star Tribune, @mprnews.org @minnesotareformer.com , @spokesmanrecorder.bsky.social, @sahanjournal.bsky.social, Center for Broadcast Journalism and Minnesota Newspaper Association today released the following statement:

Technologically-driven abuse of power only dreamed of (and foreshadowed by) by J. Edgar Hoover and the sordid COINTELPRO program deployed against civil rights & anti-war activists.

Pair that with the arrest of 2 Black journalists today and you have a full-on trampling of 1st Amendment rights.

There’s debate about talking to the press tonight. I’ve tried to explain that two things are happening on the ground. Offensive, observing ICE like what Will is doing, and defensive, helping vulnerable people. I am fine if offense talks to responsible press as long as they take precaution.

After the anti-ICE rally at the Minnesota State Capitol organized by CAIR, organizers gathered to pray and share a meal at a local Somali restaurant.

When the crowds leave, the work continues. Minnesotans are still here, still organizing, still pushing forward to get ICE out.

1.27.2026
📍St. Paul

25% is just the *average* across SPPS. In talking with a teacher at a neighboring school this week, the number of kids taking the virtual learning option in some classes is far higher. Some student clubs have ceased to operate.

‘I don’t have words’: 2 more kids from Liam Ramos’ Columbia Heights school taken into ICE custody The children were taken into ICE custody after their mother was detained at a court appointment. School leaders say the mother asked them to bring the kids to the detention center because there were n...

“We had to deliver them to a detention center,” principal Jason Kuhlman said about the second grader and fifth grader.

When St Paul high school students walked out to protest ICE two weeks ago, a vehicle swerved around the march and tore down University (til that guy was pulled over). Another had to be physically blocked by parent marshals.

bsky.app/profile/oakm...

Ok, but I want to know which bar he got drunk in if he ended up at Allianz Field.

Tomorrow’s front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune: Jan. 29, 2026

In case you're wondering if anything has changed in St. Paul & Minneapolis, it hasn't.

This is also right next to MLK Recreation Center and behind Capitol Hill Magnet School.

Already suspended

ICE in Minneapolis | Documenting "Operation Metro Surge" Photography from Minneapolis as thousands of federal agents arrive.

Since December i’ve been taking pictures in Minneapolis as thousands of federal agents and officers descended upon my city with deadly results. You can view my regularly updated archive of photos here:

chaddavis.photography/sets/ice-in-...

👀 Judge Schlitz, the chief federal judge in Minnesota, has ordered the head of ICE, Todd Lyons, to appeal personally in court Friday and threatened him with contempt for the agency’s repeated violation of court orders.

“The court’s patience is at an end.” storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

Trump's Agents Brutally Arrested Him On Video. Now He's Speaking Out. Orbin Mauricio Henríquez Serrano's violent arrest went viral and he wants the world to know what happened.

New: Orbin Mauricio Henríquez Serrano was scared to go into work on Jan. 11. He went anyway, stopping for gas along the way. Millions of people saw what happened next: Immigration agents surrounded his car and brutally arrested him.

He told me what happened next:

www.huffpost.com/entry/orbin-...

Here's how to identify some crowd control munitions, canisters of which federal agents have left on the ground after deploying them against people in Minnesota. bit.ly/3YWp1jE

Graphic by Mark Boswell/The Minnesota Star Tribune