Democratic Gov. Tim Walz called on Minnesotans to record ICE officers on their cellphones to create a database to be used “for future prosecutions.”
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Democratic Gov. Tim Walz called on Minnesotans to use their cellphones to record federal agents conducting immigration enforcement operations in the state in the wake of the shooting death of ICE officer Renee Nicole Macklin Good.
“Please help us document exactly what is happening in our community,” Walz appealed to residents. “Please help us create a database to establish a record not only for posterity but also for future prosecutions.”
Walz’s rare State of the State address comes amid what the Department of Homeland Security calls “the largest immigration operation in history.” Immigration officials say the controversial crackdown is necessary to root out fraud in social welfare programs that authorities say is linked to Somali immigrants.
Homeland Security military deployments became a lightning rod across the country after U.S. Customs and Immigration Officer Jonathan Ross shot and killed Good, 37, on January 7.
Trump administration officials said the mother of three engaged in an act of “domestic terrorism” by tailing investigators as she drove her SUV near Los Angeles.
In a new statement, Goode’s siblings, parents and attorney described her as a “beautiful light in our family” and said she happened upon the agent and stopped “to observe with the intention of assisting and helping a neighbor.”
Walz’s speech served as a call for other Minnesotans to follow Good’s efforts to monitor immigration officials working in the state.
“We don’t have to live like this forever,” the former vice presidential candidate said. “They will be held accountable at the polls and in court.”
Other efforts to “unmask” ICE agents
Minnesota’s effort to document arrests of federal agents is the latest effort by a Democratic state that has been targeted by President Donald Trump, who has pushed for mass deportations.
White House officials say widespread immigration enforcement is needed to reduce crime across the country.
States targeted by President Trump allege that operatives sent to carry out the president’s orders violate the constitutional rights of American citizens and legal residents.
“In a short period of time, we have witnessed countless acts of intimidation and brutality against civilians,” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said at a press conference at his office on October 23, referring to the Department of Homeland Security’s deployment to the Chicago area. “It is vital that no injustice, brutality or harassment goes unnoticed… They will be held accountable.”
Chicago and the surrounding area were hit hard by the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement efforts in 2025. Federal authorities named the effort Operation Midway Blitz. Thousands of immigrants were arrested. A man from Mexico was shot and killed by an immigration officer. Federal authorities used Black Hawk helicopters to raid an apartment building housing migrants from Venezuela.
Pritzker launched the Illinois Accountability Commission in an effort to create a record of federal officials’ actions in the state in case of potential prosecution. Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced her own initiative to “unmask” immigration officials.
Homeland Security and White House officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Walz’s speech. DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin previously criticized Pritzker before the state committee.
“Once again, Governor Pritzker continues to denigrate law enforcement who simply enforce the rule of law and put their lives on the line to rid Illinois of violent criminals because J.B. Pritzker refuses to do so. DHS law enforcement officers follow the law and the U.S. Constitution,” McLaughlin said, referring to multiple clashes between federal agents and protesters. “Despite these grave threats and dangerous circumstances, our nation’s law enforcement agencies have shown remarkable restraint and professionalism in exhausting all options before non-lethal force is used.”
