On January 20, 2026, protests erupted during a church service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, as demonstrators voiced opposition to the pastor's alleged ties to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This incident followed the January 7 shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent, which has sparked widespread outrage and protests across the state. Protesters chanted slogans such as "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good," disrupting the service and prompting backlash from Christian leaders and law enforcement.

The National Faith Advisory Board, including prominent figures such as Pastor Paul Chappell and Paula Michelle White, condemned the protesters' actions, citing violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. They called for investigations by the Department of Justice (DOJ) into the incident, emphasizing the need to protect religious liberty. Chappell urged the DOJ to take action against those involved, while Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, described the disruption as "unspeakably evil."

In response to the protests, the DOJ announced an investigation into the demonstrators, with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stating that federal legal action would be pursued against those who intimidate or attack law enforcement and religious congregations. The protests are part of a broader backlash against the Trump administration's immigration policies, which have seen a significant increase in ICE operations in Minnesota, with over 10,000 undocumented immigrants arrested since the administration began.

The protests were organized by civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, who highlighted the need for community solidarity in the face of aggressive immigration enforcement. Participants, including members of the Black Lives Matter movement, expressed their commitment to supporting vulnerable populations amid heightened federal scrutiny. Videos shared on social media depicted the intensity of the protests, which continued throughout the holiday weekend honoring the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The situation has drawn attention to the broader implications of immigration enforcement practices, particularly following the fatal shooting of Good, which has been characterized by some as a government-sanctioned act of violence. Critics of ICE have raised concerns about the agency's tactics, particularly in residential areas, and the emotional toll these actions take on communities. Activists argue for a more humane approach to immigration enforcement that respects the dignity of individuals.

In a related development, community leaders and labor unions are mobilizing for an economic blackout on January 23, 2026, to protest the surge in federal immigration enforcement and to mourn Good's death. Organizers are encouraging residents to refrain from working, shopping, or attending school as a form of protest against what they describe as an unprecedented escalation of violence against working-class individuals. The planned blackout aims to leverage the collective power of workers to signal the consequences of aggressive immigration enforcement on communities.

As protests continue, the situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions about the intersection of law enforcement, community safety, and civil rights activism in the context of federal immigration policies.