By Trendsetter Tribune 
Immigration officials are expected to conduct documentation checks at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport amid heightened enforcement activity and legal scrutiny in Minnesota.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are expected to begin checking documentation at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) in the coming days, according to reports citing an airport employee familiar with the situation.
Fox 9 reported that ICE agents are expected to operate at the airport for approximately three weeks. While the airport itself has not confirmed the specific timeline, officials acknowledged that federal regulations allow immigration agents broad access to airport property.
Airport Officials Cite Federal Authority
In a statement to Fox News on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Airports Commission said the airport and its police department do not receive advance notice of immigration enforcement operations.
“Neither the Metropolitan Airports Commission nor the MSP Airport Police Department receive advance notice of or coordinate immigration enforcement activity at the airport,” the statement said.
The spokesperson added that federal regulations grant ICE and other federal agents access to multiple areas of the airport, including terminals, public spaces, and parking facilities.
Documentation Requirements Explained
Under existing guidelines, lawful permanent residents are generally advised to carry their documentation at all times. U.S. citizens are not legally required to carry proof of citizenship, though officials and legal advocates note that lack of documentation can sometimes lead to temporary detention while status is verified.
State-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards are considered valid forms of identification and may be used to establish identity during encounters with law enforcement.
Heightened Tensions Surround Enforcement
The reported airport operation comes amid increased scrutiny of immigration enforcement activities in Minnesota. Legal advocates and local governments have launched “know-your-rights” initiatives nationwide to educate residents about their legal protections during encounters with federal agents.
These efforts include distributing informational materials and holding community meetings focused on constitutional rights that apply to individuals regardless of immigration status.
Legal Challenges Continue
On Wednesday, a federal judge granted the Trump administration time to respond to a request seeking to suspend aspects of the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota. The lawsuit was filed by the state of Minnesota along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
During the first court hearing, Assistant Attorney General Brian Carter emphasized the need to de-escalate tensions.
“What we need most of all right now is a pause. The temperature needs to be lowered,” Carter said.
Protests Persist Across Minneapolis
Protests have continued across Minneapolis in recent weeks, with demonstrations intensifying following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent on Jan. 7. Streets in parts of the city have seen repeated confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement, including the use of chemical irritants and crowd-control measures.
Residents and advocacy groups have accused federal agents of aggressive enforcement tactics, while officials maintain that operations are conducted under federal authority.
Ongoing Uncertainty
With ICE operations expanding and legal challenges still underway, uncertainty remains over how long federal agents will remain active at MSP Airport and whether court action could alter enforcement efforts.
For now, airport officials stress that immigration enforcement decisions are made independently by federal authorities, even as local governments and courts weigh potential limits on those actions.