More than a dozen workers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) have been detained by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to a statement from local union representatives. The union, Unite Here Local 17, which advocates for over 6,000 workers in the Minneapolis area, reported that several employees were apprehended as they arrived for their shifts or during their working hours. This incident is part of a larger, intensified enforcement operation that ICE has initiated at the airport.
Over the past few weeks, ICE has increased its presence at MSP, implementing a three-week operation designed to scrutinize the documentation of both travelers and airport staff. Agents have reportedly been stationed throughout the airport, including on jetbridges where they interact with disembarking passengers. The operation is part of a broader immigration enforcement push in the Minneapolis area, which has seen significant civil unrest in recent years.
According to a report by CBS News, the detained individuals primarily held roles in hospitality, including retail and dining services at the airport. Wade Luneburg, political director of Unite Here Local 17, indicated that many of the workers were taken into custody shortly after passing through TSA security. He recounted instances where employees had just completed their shifts at airport restaurants and were quickly detained by ICE or other law enforcement agencies. Luneburg noted, “They came through the TSA line, and then were quickly detained by ICE or Border Patrol, or some other law enforcement agency. It was on the back-end of security and they were just taken away.”
Expanded ICE Operations at MSP
An internal memo leaked by an MSP employee to FOX 9 detailed the extent of ICE’s activities at the airport. The operation involves agents positioned throughout the terminal and on jetbridges, conducting checks that extend beyond typical security protocols. While U.S. citizens are not legally required to show identification to ICE agents, they are encouraged to cooperate to prevent misunderstandings that could lead to detention. There have been reports of U.S. citizens being detained even after presenting valid identification, raising concerns about the legality and constitutionality of ICE’s actions, particularly in relation to the Fourth Amendment, which safeguards against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Travelers using MSP, a major hub for Delta Air Lines, have been warned to expect potential document checks and questioning. MSP serves over 37 million passengers annually, making it one of the busiest airports in the United States. Starting in May 2025, travelers without a REAL ID or approved identification may face a new $18 biometric check fee, delays, or even denied boarding at TSA checkpoints.
Concerns Over Enforcement Tactics
The recent activities of ICE agents have sparked considerable backlash, particularly in Minneapolis, where the agency’s operations have been described as extensive and invasive. Federal regulations allow agents access to airport facilities, which include both landside and airside locations. The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which operates MSP, clarified that its Airport Police Department does not receive prior notifications regarding ICE operations nor does it coordinate with these enforcement activities.
Despite this assertion, the commission acknowledged that federal agents are granted broad access to the airport. There has been a notable increase in deportation flights departing from MSP, specifically from the private terminal operated by Signature Aviation. Recent data indicates that deportation flights have escalated from one or two per week to approximately two daily, prompting large protests around the airport.
As ICE continues its operations, the implications for workers and travelers at MSP remain significant, with ongoing discussions about the balance between immigration enforcement and civil rights.
