ICE operations reported at south Minneapolis restaurant

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A manager at a south Minneapolis restaurant tells FOX 9 that ICE was there Tuesday and Wednesday, but staff stood up to the federal agents, and they left without detaining anyone. 

This comes as the Trump Administration has become increasingly focused on people of Somalian descent living in Minnesota and the United States. On Tuesday, Trump said he did not want Somali immigrants in the country.

"They contribute nothing. I don’t want them in our country," Trump said. "Their country is no good for a reason."

Minnesota is home to the United States' largest Somali community. 

READ MORE:

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• Kristi Noem claims '50%' of Minnesota visas are fraudulent
• Trump on Somalis: 'I don't want them in our country'
• Walz 'welcomes' federal probe into fraud allegations: 'You commit fraud, you're going to prison'

Find updates on reported ICE enforcement in Minnesota, and the community's response to it, below. 

7:25 p.m. - Reported ICE operation at Hola Arepa in south Minneapolis 

The manager at Hola Arepa in south Minneapolis told a FOX 9 reporter that ICE had been in an alley behind the restaurant. The staff at the restaurant reportedly stood up to ICE, and they ultimately left without detaining anyone. The manager also told FOX 9 ICE was at the restaurant Tuesday as well. 

4 p.m. - Community members respond to targeted ICE operations

Minneapolis Somali-American community leaders responded to ICE operations concerns Wednesday afternoon. 

3:35 p.m. - Mayor Frey bans the use of Minneapolis parking lots for immigration enforcement

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signed an Executive Order which prohibits federal, state and local agencies from using city-owned parking lots, ramps, garages or vacant lots to stage civil immigration enforcement operations. 

The Executive Order also states that city staff will design signage for local businesses and property owners who want to mark their property as "off-limits" for immigration enforcement activities. 

"Minneapolis is — and will remain — a city that stands up for our residents," said Frey. "City parking lots need to be used for City purposes, which do not include civil immigration enforcement. There’s no place in our Minneapolis for fear-based tactics or operations that undermine community trust. This Executive Order makes it clear: City parking lots, ramps, garages, and vacant lots cannot and will not be used to stage civil immigration enforcement operations." 

3:30 p.m. - St. Paul senator condemns Trump's comments

Minnesota Senator Foung Hawj (DFL-St. Paul shared a statement condemning Trump's comments regarding the Somali community in Minnesota: 

"President Trump’s racist, Islamophobic threats against Somali people endanger our neighbors. His words encourage violence toward people who came to this country seeking safety, prosperity and opportunities for their families. I am and will always be in solidarity with Somali Minnesotans, and we refuse to bow to this deliberate effort to sow fear and confusion. Our Somali community is a vital part of Minnesota’s identity and strength; they are our neighbors, colleagues and friends. We are all Minnesotans, and we are not going anywhere.

11:40 a.m. - Minneapolis delegation on Trump targeting Somali-Minnesotans

The Minneapolis delegation of the Minnesota House of Representatives released a statement Wednesday in response to reports that ICE agents were being sent to Minneapolis to target Somali residents. 

Here's the statement: 

"Yesterday, the federal government unleashed terror on our community by abducting residents. ICE was seen in our neighborhoods, taking away vital members of our community. Residents across our city are now living in fear of targeted violence that makes us all less safe. 

Donald Trump has used his platform to target members of our beloved Somali community. Because Donald Trump does not have any ideas to solve the affordability issues plaguing our communities, he can only try to distract from them by pitting Minnesotans against one another. Once again, his actions have no basis in reality or facts. The vast majority of Somali Minnesotans are citizens or permanent residents; his demands will not accomplish his goal. But once again, his words will inflame tensions, fuel racism, and endanger our neighbors.

"As the Minneapolis Delegation, we reject these efforts to sow division and terrorize our city. Somali Minnesotans are an essential and cherished part of our city and state. We cannot, and do not want to, imagine a Minneapolis without our Somali residents. They are our neighbors, family members, elected officials, doctors, teachers, and more. No matter what lies and bile Donald Trump spews about Minnesota’s Somali community, the simple truth is that our Somali neighbors make our state stronger. In the coming days, we will do everything we can to protect each other from this hostile federal government intent on dividing us."

The Minneapolis delegation is made up of the following representatives: 

• Rep. Michael Howard (51A)
• Rep. Fue Lee (59A)
• Rep. Esther Agbaje (59B)
• Rep. Sydney Jordan (60A)
• Rep. Mohamud Noor (60B)
• Rep. Katie Jones (61A)
• Rep. Jamie Long (61B)
• Rep. Aisha Gomez (62A)
• Rep. Anquam Mahamoud (62B)
• Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura (63A)
• Rep. Emma Greenman (63B)

11 a.m. - Deportation rally

A rally is being held outside Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport calling for an end to deportation flights out of Minnesota. 

9 a.m. - Community response planned

A community response is planned for 3 p.m. on Wednesday. A press release says elected officials and community leaders will denounce "the targeted deployment of ICE against Somali-Americans and Donald Trump’s hateful, threatening statements about the community."