Over 300 people share concerns with Commissioner Conley about Hennepin County Sheriff's conduct at Whipple Building

Commissioners ask ICE to withdraw and end Operation Metro Surge

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

Protest at Whipple Building in South Minneapolis, Jan. 31, 2026. The event was organized by the Women's March.

TMC Publications CO

On Wednesday, Jan.14, 2026, District 4 Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley joined council members, state representatives and senators, school board members, and community members to speak out against Operation Metro Surge and the violent effect it's had on community. They announced the beginning of weekly updates Metro ICE Out reports. Since then, local elected officials across the Twin Cities have begun providing regularly scheduled briefings on the Multi-jurisdictional response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minneapolis and Minnesota. Hosted by Minneapolis City Council Member and Chair of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee, Aurin Chowdhury, local elected officials provide the public with the most up-to-date updates and resources from various jurisdictions in response to this escalated federal enforcement. Elected officials have included State Senators, State House Representatives, Hennepin County Leaders, City Council Members, School Board Members, and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Members. The briefings are livestreamed and recorded on YouTube every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon.

On Tuesday, the office of Ward 4 Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley joined colleagues Commissioner Heather Edelson (District 6) and Chair Irene Fernando (District 2) in calling on Tom Homan to provide a clear timeline and plan to end Operation Metro Surge. They are also calling for the Whipple Federal Building to not be used as a detention facility. "Our communities deserve stability, safety, and humane treatment. Minnesota needs peace, not fear. We will continue to speak up until it is restored," said Conley.

Two weeks ago, the Board of Commissioners passed a Board Action Request (BAR) denouncing ICE presence in Hennepin County. They introduced a resolution calling for the immediate end to "ICE’s horrendous presence in the county," said District 4 Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley. "Yesterday they passed an updated version condemning the murder of Alex Pretti." Some key points include: We condemn the vicious killing of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. We call for an independent investigation of their killings to be done by the BCA. We demand ICE personnel leave Minnesota immediately.

Posted Friday, February 6, 2026 11:09 am

District 4 Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley reported in her Friday newsletter that she receive 300+ emails from county residents expressing their concerns with the Sheriff's office and their behavior in the community. "Thank you to the residents and community members who contacted my office and other elected officials," she said.
Below is the following response from County Administration:
"The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) does not conduct civil immigration enforcement. HCSO will respond to emergency calls and situations that may become violent throughout the County. Federal Protective Services is responsible for providing security for the Whipple Federal Building, its parking lot and surrounding curtilage. The HCSO has primary law enforcement responsibility near the Whipple Federal Building because no other local law enforcement agency is assigned to that area of the County. The HCSO has had an increased presence near the Whipple Federal Building to maintain public safety. The HCSO does not have the legal ability to interfere with or obstruct federal agents who are performing civil immigration enforcement.
"County administration has been in communication with HCSO regarding its activities at the Whipple Federal Building and the incidents raised to county officials. Use of force by HCSO deputies is subject to an internal review process. The HCSO has made several arrests over the past several weeks near the Whipple Building related to criminal violations, including property damage, obstructing legal process and assault charges.
"The HCSO’s law enforcement decisions (including those at the Whipple Building) are determined by the Sheriff, and such decisions cannot be directed by County Administration or the County Board. Because the Sheriff is an independent elected office, the County Board’s authority is limited to setting the HCSO’s operating budget and approval of capital projects for the HCSO."
Reach out to Sheriff Witt with any concerns: Dawanna.Witt@hennepin.us; Phone: 612-348-3744