Chaos Erupts as Hundreds of Somalis Storm ICE Operation at Strip Mall in St. Cloud, Minnesota (VIDEO)
Hundreds of members of the Somali community gathered Monday in St. Cloud, Minnesota, after a Somali-language news outlet live-streamed an ICE enforcement operation at a Somali-owned business.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were conducting activity at a strip mall when they were surrounded by protesters blowing whistles and chanting slogans, including “ICE out!” The demonstration grew as more people arrived at the scene.
As protesters blocked ICE vehicles in the parking lot and prevented agents from leaving, officers deployed tear gas to clear a path. At one point, Democratic State Senator Aric Putnam was seen between protesters and federal agents, urging demonstrators to keep their distance.
🚨 BREAKING: Hundreds just showed up to protest dozens of ICE agents at a Somali strip mall in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
You can also see Sen. Aric Putnam (D) trying to hold the crowd back.
“Don’t even get close.” pic.twitter.com/JScmXsBj1H
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) January 12, 2026
“Don’t even get close,” Putnam said as he attempted to de-escalate the situation.
After the incident, Putnam described the confrontation as tense and emotional, saying community members were reacting to what they saw happening in their neighborhood. He criticized the size and tactics of the federal response, questioning the need for a large number of armed agents and the use of chemical irritants.
New footage from St. Cloud, MN: Somali mob rushes DHS agents during a raid with overwhelming numbers.@Sec_Noem – agents need reinforcements and National Guard on the ground.
Without superior force, these mobs will feel unstoppable, and you will have Mogasota on your hands. pic.twitter.com/jn41BRlCAF
— Kim “Katie” USA (@KimKatieUSA) January 10, 2026
According to CBS News, at least two protesters were arrested in the parking lot, and one individual was taken into custody as part of the ICE operation itself. Many of the businesses in the strip mall are owned and operated by members of the Somali community.
ICE agents had conducted enforcement activity at the same location two days earlier, prompting verbal confrontations with protesters. Agents left the area at that time and returned on Monday, when the larger protest occurred.
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