On Tuesday, a wave of anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demonstrators clashed with federal agents in Minneapolis during immigration raids, amid escalating tensions in the Twin Cities following the recent passing of Renee Nicole Good.

Footage from the scene captured the chaotic moments as protesters obstructed the paths of ICE vehicles, positioning themselves strategically around and in front of them while officers endeavored to navigate through the throng.

In response, agents resorted to the use of tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the gathered crowd and secure a passageway for their vehicles.

The confrontation reached a crescendo as federal agents unleashed tear gas to clear the smoky street, with anti-ICE demonstrators present during the immigration operation in Minneapolis on January 13, 2026. (Photo by Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Throughout the encounter, protesters could be heard loudly chanting anti-fascist messages, hurling insults, blowing whistles, and honking car horns, seemingly aiming to disrupt the operation and overshadow law enforcement commands.

“Day in and day out we will fight the fascists,” one young man could be heard shouting while recording the scene on his cellphone. 

“This is Minneapolis, and we will not lose,” he added.

Others could be heard encouraging others over bullhorns and congratulating each other for disrupting law enforcement. 

In one instance, a man was seen standing in the middle of the road with his hands in the air, verbally taunting agents to “do it now if you’re going to do it.” He was later seen wiping pepper spray from his face with water.

A federal agent pushes an anti-ICE agitator during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on Jan. 13, 2026. The agent appears to be moving the individual out of the path of vehicles while other people watch. (Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images)

In a separate local incident, agitators attempted to interfere with federal agents as they sought to arrest at least one suspect, closing in on the operation and forcing agents to work within a tight crowd. Agitators there too shouted obscenities at agents, blew whistles and honked vehicle horns.

On Monday night, federal agents fired tear gas and rubber bullets after agitators hurled fireworks at them outside a federal building in the city.

The Department of Homeland Security said that more than 2,000 arrests have been made in Minnesota since December as part of what ICE has described as its largest enforcement operation in the state.

Federal agents detain a person on a residential street as anti-ICE agitators gather nearby during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on Jan. 13, 2026. (John Sullivan via Storyful)

ICE officials on Saturday released a shocking list of the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal immigrants arrested during their recent surge. ICE officials said those arrested during the surge included convicted murderers, child rapists, pedophiles, domestic abusers and other violent offenders.

The unrest comes as Minnesota, joined by the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to halt or limit a surge of federal immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities.