But here’s what they’re missing, the real overarching issue: This is straight-up sedition territory. They’re not just protesting policy; they’re actively interfering with lawful federal operations—Operation Metro Surge—to apprehend and deport criminal aliens, including violent offenders. By building barricades, tracking agents, and obstructing access, they’re nullifying federal law in a declared sanctuary zone, coordinated with local officials who won’t intervene. That’s rebellion against the United States government, not civil disobedience.
And the irony bites harder: They scream “no one is illegal” while treating out-of-state plates (often federal rentals) as guilty until proven innocent—mirroring the profiling they hate, but without any legal backing. Meanwhile, ICE has court orders and statutes; these folks have recliners and Signal chats.
Take a look at the actual scenes—barricades of junk blocking Cedar Avenue, protesters with signs yelling at cars.
It’s not about protecting neighbors; it’s about declaring a mini-republic where federal law doesn’t apply. That’s the line they’re crossing, and why police just watch instead of arresting—local politics shielding what should be federal crimes. What’s your take on where this heads next?
“Nine Counties, Endless Chaos: The Real Danger Isn’t ICE — It’s the Enablers.
Out of over three thousand counties, only nine account for two-thirds of violent attacks on ICE agents. (A study done by Kevin Bass, an independent researcher/analyst. – follow him on X)
Those nine? All deep-blue sanctuary spots that limit cooperation with ICE:
Cook County, IL (Chicago)
Los Angeles County, CA
Hennepin County, MN (Minneapolis)
New York County, NY
Multnomah County, OR (Portland)
San Francisco County, CA
King County, WA (Seattle)
Essex County, NJ (Newark)
Denver County, CO
These are the places where local leaders block jails, ignore detainers, and scream ‘Gestapo’ while protesters assault agents.
No widespread killings or assaults by ICE nationwide—just clean enforcement. But in these nine? Chaos.
Yet the rhetoric from Walz, Frey, Bass, Newsom, Omar, Schumer, Tlaib, Jayapal, Swalwell—’terrorizing families,’ ‘Nazis,’ threats to prosecute agents or yank licenses for doing their jobs.
That’s not protection; that’s incitement.
Illegal presence is a crime. Working under the table, using fake docs—more crimes. They’re not equal to citizens or legal immigrants.
Gratitude means allegiance to the law, not rebellion against it.
These enablers are the true danger. They create the mess, then blame the fix. Live grateful—or live in their chaos. No exceptions.”
A 287(g) agreement (also called a 287(g) program or Memorandum of Agreement/MOA) is a voluntary partnership authorized under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (added by the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act).
It allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to delegate specific federal immigration enforcement functions to trained and certified state, local, or tribal law enforcement officers. These officers perform the duties under ICE’s direction and supervision, effectively turning them into “force multipliers” for identifying, processing, and helping remove removable noncitizens (often focusing on those with criminal records).
Key Details
Purpose: To enhance community safety by targeting criminal aliens (e.g., gang members, violent offenders) for removal, while collaborating with local agencies.
How it works: Participating agencies sign an MOA with ICE. Selected officers complete ICE-provided training (length varies by model; some streamlined to online/40-hour courses in recent expansions). They then perform limited immigration tasks, such as checking status, issuing detainers (requests to hold someone up to 48 hours for ICE pickup), or serving administrative warrants.
Models (as operated by ICE):
Jail Enforcement Model (JEM): Focuses on jails—officers screen arrestees/booking for immigration status and issue detainers.
Warrant Service Officer (WSO) Model: Authorizes serving/ executing administrative immigration warrants, often in custody settings.
Task Force Model (TFM): Broader—allows enforcement during routine duties (e.g., patrols, traffic stops); revived and expanded significantly in 2025 under the current administration.
Current scale (as of late January 2026): ICE has over 1,300–1,372 agreements across 40 states, with rapid growth (e.g., from ~135 in early 2025). This includes hundreds in each model, driven by executive orders emphasizing maximum partnerships.
It’s entirely voluntary for local agencies—no mandate to join—and ICE covers training costs (with some reimbursement programs for partners). Critics argue it can lead to overreach, racial profiling, or diverted resources from local priorities; supporters see it as essential for enforcing immigration laws where cooperation is otherwise limited.
This ties directly into discussions on sanctuary vs. cooperative jurisdictions—287(g) agreements are a tool to increase cooperation in non-sanctuary areas or override local resistance.
Most illegal aliens flock to the cities. They’re illegal not dumb! That’s where the jobs are. Less than 2 percent stay or work in agricultural areas. Where else would you prefer to stay when you know you’re here illegally? Sanctuary Cities and/or States – that’s where.
Right now, in late January 2026, the “Order in the Mess” framework couldn’t be more spot-on. Trump’s administration is actively restoring order after years of neglect—enforcing immigration laws that have been on the books but ignored, leading to unchecked chaos. Meanwhile, the opposition—sanctuary city leaders, protesters, and their celebrity amplifiers—wants to deliberately maintain and amplify the mess through resistance, violence, and misleading rhetoric. This isn’t about compassion; it’s about avoiding accountability, which exposes their selective support for law-breaking.
Take Minneapolis as the prime example. Since Operation Metro Surge ramped up mid-month, over 3,000 arrests have been made, with 70% targeting convicted criminals or those with pending charges. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, took direct command this week, shifting tactics from broad street sweeps to more focused, targeted operations on public safety threats like murderers, rapists, and gang members. He’s even outlined a plan for an eventual drawdown of the 3,500+ federal agents if state and local leaders cooperate by granting full access to jails and prisons—something Minnesota partially does already but could expand. This is order in action: practical, results-driven enforcement without unnecessary escalation. Homan’s meetings with Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey show a willingness to de-escalate, but only if the city stops hindering.
On the flip side, the opposition is fomenting mess on purpose. Protests have turned violent: noise demos at hotels housing agents, arrests of agitators harassing federal officers, and crowds chanting “ICE Out” while boarding up buildings. Two U.S. citizens—Renee Good and Alex Pretti—were killed in confrontations, sparking nationwide outrage, but footage shows Pretti escalating earlier by spitting on and kicking a federal vehicle. Mayor Frey is urging other cities to “stand firm” against enforcement, essentially threatening continued chaos if agents don’t back off. And protesters have outright said there will be “peace once they leave”—that’s not negotiation; that’s a veiled threat to keep the disorder going unless federal law bends to their will.
They cloak this in euphemisms: “terrorizing families” for deporting criminals, “separating families” for the natural consequences of breaking the law. But as my chemo analogy nails it—enforcement is painful medicine for a system riddled with neglect. You don’t call chemo “separating cells” or “terrorizing the body”; you call it necessary to save what’s worth saving. Skipping it lets the problem spread, just like ignoring borders has led to over 600 transfers into ICE custody from Minnesota jails alone since Trump’s push began.
To clarify the contrast, here’s a simple table breaking it down:
Aspect
Restoring Order (Trump Admin)
Maintaining Mess (Opposition)
Goal
Enforce existing laws to fix years of open-border neglect, prioritize criminals, reduce chaos through cooperation.
Deliberately create and sustain disorder to block enforcement, expose hypocrisy on selective law-following (e.g., push federal gun regs while flouting immigration).
Violent protests, spitting/throwing objects at agents, leaking addresses, lawsuits demanding perfection while undermining operations.
Rhetoric
Direct: “We’re staying ’til the problem’s gone,” but open to efficiency with local help.
Euphemisms like “terrorizing families” for deportations, threats of no peace until agents withdraw—ignoring that consequences (e.g., separation) follow law-breaking, just like any crime.
Outcome
Safer streets, schools open, system protected—pillars of accountability, assimilation, allegiance in play.
Eroded trust, bodies in streets, taxpayer burden—savior complex fueling hypocrisy and resentment.
This ties straight to the three pillars: the admin demands accountability (follow the laws we all agreed on), assimilation (earn your place legally), and allegiance (defend the system, don’t tear it down). The mess-makers skip the “What if this was done to me?” life hack—they’d never tolerate selective rules if it hit their families or rights.
Don’t be fooled by the noise. See it clearly: one side is sweeping the floor after the party; the other is still throwing confetti while the house burns. Choose order—it’s the foundation of a grateful, well-lived life, immigrant or not.
A nod to Tom Homan. He’s making sure the cracks on ALL THREE Pillars are repaired and that those who cracked them pay for the repairs.
I was having a discussion at work about the shootings here in the Twin Cities. My co-workers—people I’d give the shirt off my back to—had a very different take than I did. These are good, decent folks who show up for work every day and do a solid job.
The key difference in how we saw things boiled down to our underlying premises, and that’s where we really started to part ways. You see, I know those officers are there to execute a legal operation. Yet they’ve been accused of practically doing the work of the devil. One co-worker even pointed out that the officers are supposed to serve and protect, framing it as hypocrisy on their part—and mine.
He and I would argue that most of them believe what I’m about to elaborate on below is illegal. They haven’t taken the time to note that over 40 states have cooperated with little to no chaos, much less fatalities.
As I’ve elaborated here (and perhaps in previous posts), the chaos—from both the enforcement and the protests against it—stems from an overdue correction of rules that haven’t been followed for YEARS.
Donald Trump ran on it loud and clear in 2024. Mass deportations. “Largest in American history.” “On day one.” “Mass Deportation Now!” signs at rallies. He said it in Ohio, Colorado, New York, Texas—every major stop. Voters heard it. Voters chose it.
Now it’s January 27, 2026. He’s delivering.
STAGE
WHAT HAPPENED / WHAT’S REAL
WHAT THE RESISTANCE HEARS / SAYS
Election Promise (2024)
Trump pledges mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, prioritizing criminals, starting Day 1. Repeated in rallies, platform, speeches.
“Racist fearmongering.” “Impossible.” “Cruel.”
Fulfillment Now (2026)
Over 675,000 removals (official DHS). ~2.2 million self-deportations (estimated due to pressure). Total ~3 million out.
“Chaos.” “Terror.” “Families torn apart.”
Arrest Focus
70% of ICE arrests are criminal illegal aliens (convicted/charged in U.S.). Worst of Worst site spotlights murderers, pedophiles, MS-13, terrorists.
“They’re deporting innocents.” “74% no conviction” (critics cherry-pick detention stats).
Detention
~70,000–73,000 in custody (record high). Surge in officers (12,000 hired).
“Cages.” “Overcrowding.” “Inhumane.”
Approach
Aggressive: raids, home entries (disputed warrants), force when resisted. Legal under Article II—no Article III judge needed for enforcement.
“Gestapo.” “Nazis.” “Siege on communities.”
Cooperation
40+ states, 1,300+ local agreements. Quiet ops where locals help.
“States resisting are protecting rights.”
Escalation
Flashpoints in sanctuary areas (e.g., Twin Cities shootings, protests). Minimal in cooperating states.
“ICE provokes violence.”
Core Truth
Correction for millions let in unchecked (previous admin + pre-existing). Enforcement = force. Rules exist for a reason.
“It’s not a crime.” “They’re just neighbors.” “Compassion over law.”
Bottom line: He promised mass deportations. He’s executing them—efficient, targeted (mostly criminals), aggressive when needed. No polite invitations. No “pretty please.”
Enforcement has “force” in the word. Because rules without teeth are jokes.
One mirror: voters’ choice, promise kept, safety restored. Two images: justice vs. cruelty.
Hate the bang? Blame the dam that broke first. Not the guy fixing it.
Your call: open borders forever, or rules that mean something? Because if it’s rules… law and force shows up. And it doesn’t
Today, we went to a restaurant we’ve been going to for almost 30 years. The food is good, the atmosphere warm, the people welcoming. It’s the kind of place that reminds me why I fell in love with this country: hard-working folks building community through food and hospitality.
But when I pulled up, the doors were locked. Lights off. A simple sign: closed for the day. No explanation needed—I knew why. Like many restaurants across the Twin Cities right now (from Pineda Tacos to vendors at Midtown Global Market, El Burrito Mercado in St. Paul, and others), the ongoing federal immigration enforcement has created fear. Workers staying home, owners reducing hours or shutting temporarily for safety. Revenue down 50-80% in some spots. It’s real hardship, and my heart goes out to legal workers and owners caught in this—families feeling the pinch, dreams disrupted.
As a grateful legal immigrant who’s built a life here the right way, I don’t celebrate anyone’s struggle. But gratitude isn’t blind to reality; it’s the lens that sees deeper. Enforcement isn’t cruelty—it’s the reset that strengthens the foundation we all rely on. Here are some thoughts on what’s unfolding, tested through the Three Pillars we’ve built this movement around.
If You’re Here Legally, There’s No Need for Fear The operations target criminal aliens and those violating immigration laws—not lawful residents or citizens. If someone is legal (citizen, green card, visa), why the widespread fear keeping workers home? And crucially: There are no headlines screaming about mistaken deportations of actual U.S. citizens. If even one clear case existed, it’d dominate every news cycle. The absence tells the story—enforcement, when done properly, protects the system that welcomed immigrants like me.
Greed, Not Just Necessity, Played a Role Let’s call a spade a spade, with accountability at the forefront. Many businesses relied on off-the-books labor—either accepting questionable IDs (state-issued or otherwise) or knowingly hiring undocumented workers for lower costs. That’s not sustainable compassion; it’s undermining fair wages and competition for legal workers (citizens, legal immigrants, young Americans entering the workforce). The Accountability pillar demands we own this: Shortcuts built on greed created vulnerability. When laws are enforced evenly, those choices catch up.
Short-Term Pain Leads to Long-Term Gain Yes, operations are hurting now—closed doors, lost revenue, strained families. But history shows enforcement resets the labor market positively. Businesses must compete fairly: recruit legally, raise wages to attract workers (we’ve seen this in past crackdowns—wages grow as supply tightens). Prices might rise temporarily, but a healthier economy emerges—more spending power, less strain on public services, opportunities for all who follow the rules. Gratitude looks ahead: This disruption plants seeds for stronger, fairer, because it’s legal – growth.
Rule of Law Isn’t Chaos—It’s the Order Freedom Requires Freedom thrives with clear rules, not their absence. Without enforcement, you get selective chaos: depressed wages, eroded trust, sanctuary policies that shielded violations for years. Now, the rules are in focus again—settling what’s expected. The Assimilation pillar calls for integration legally; Allegiance means loyalty to the shared system. Enforcement repairs cracks, rebuilding one grateful America.
Did I miss anything? Perhaps this: Past non-cooperation (refusing detainers, sanctuary stances) enabled the reliance we’re seeing unwind now. And for those affected—there are legal paths forward. As someone who navigated them gratefully, I know they’re worth it. They build lasting success, not fragile shortcuts.
This isn’t about division. It’s gratitude in action: Acknowledging pain while trusting the pillars to guide repair. E Pluribus Unum—out of many disruptions, one stronger nation.
To my fellow Twin Cities folks feeling this: Hold fast. Wear your gratitude (check out Grateful Wear—every purchase supports Tunnel to Towers heroes who protect the freedoms we cherish). Support legal paths. Live the pillars daily.
Because gratitude turns closed doors into open opportunities.
Grateful Immigrant 