Hundreds protests DHS Secretary Noem during press conference at Fort Snelling
Protesters gathered in front of the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Fort Snelling on Friday, October 24, 2025, to voice their opposition to the presence of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. (Photo: Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)
Hundreds of people gathered outside the federal Whipple Building at Fort Snelling on Friday to protest the presence of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who is leading the Trump administration’s efforts to detain and deport millions of immigrants.
Noem held a press conference to tout the administration’s detention of immigrants who commit crimes. He spoke behind a table piled high with seized firearms and bags of marijuana, meth and fentanyl.
Many protesters feared Noem’s presence would signal the beginning of a large-scale immigration enforcement effort like this launched in Chicago last month.
But Noem’s appearance was instead at Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s St. Paul focused on celebrating the arrests made by the field office.
“I’m here today to ask all people in Minnesota, people in the Midwest and all over our country to support your law enforcement officers, support them and help protect them as they go out and do their jobs,” Noem said.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a press conference in Minneapolis on Friday, October 24, 2025, to discuss ICE operations and immigration enforcement in Minnesota. (Photo: Glen Stubbe/Minnesota Reformer)
Dozens of clergy attended the protest, leading demonstrators in songs such as “This Little Light of Mine” and “We Shall Not Be Move.”
Craig Loya, bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, preached a message of inclusion.
“As long as I have breath, I will continue to preach and declare that diversity makes us stronger and that there is no clearer moral imperative than standing with immigrants and foreigners, because that is how God has embraced each of us,” Loya said.
Protesters demonstrated up to the glass doors of the Whipple Building; many people carried banners and chanted anti-ICE slogans.
Protesters chanted, “Minnesota is not beautiful anymore. We won’t want your fascist ICE.”
The chants did not reach the windowless room of the Whipple Building where Noem spoke.
Craig Loya, bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, speaks at a protest in front of the federal Whipple Building at Fort Snelling on October 24, 2025. (Photo: Michelle Griffith/Minnesota Reformer)
Asked whether President Donald Trump would deploy the National Guard or another federal law enforcement agency to the Twin Cities, Noem said “that’s up to the president.”
But Noem said the St. John’s aid was paid for with funding approved in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed in July. Thousands of newly trained ICE officers, including Paul, are expected to join field offices in the coming weeks, he said.
Under Noem, DHS broke precedent by requesting large amounts of personal data. states And other federal agencies assisting with deportation efforts; arrest people courthouses; send immigrants countries with no connection and in some cases known for human rights violations; And Ignoring court decisions.
immigration agents St. Detained a roofing crew in St. Paul According to the lawyers, the police officers arrived in unmarked vehicles and refused to show their identification. Some wore masks.
When asked about the incident, Noem said: “Our agents always follow exactly what the law, regulations and protocol are for every operation they conduct, so they always identify themselves and make sure people know who they are.”
The protest was also attended by a handful of Minnesota Democratic lawmakers, including DFL State Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura, who said she attended the protest to send a message to Noem that she and ICE are not welcome in Minnesota.
“We know most of what they do; it’s just about fear,” Sencer-Mura said. “Always trying to combat these things with love and community is a good way to show up.”
