Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz established a new council that will create a public record of what happened when federal immigration agents were in Minnesota just a few months ago.
As many know, Operation Metro Surge was a large-scale immigration enforcement effort in Minnesota that was conducted by the Trump Administration in late 2025 and the early part of 2026. That operation resulted in national and international media coverage.
During Operation Metro Surge, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it was working to apprehend the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal aliens in Minnesota. In fact, DHS published an online list of violent offenders it apprehended during the operation.
Despite this, federal immigration officers were met with widespread opposition from left-wing Minnesotans who said ICE agents were violating constitutional rights. Many residents worked to obstruct immigration officers as they carried out their enforcement duties.
While Operation Metro Surge ended many weeks ago, Democrats have repeatedly alleged that the operation resulted in negative fallout which continues to affect Minnesotans. Now, Walz wants to gather documentation of that supposed fallout.
Last month, Walz signed an executive which created “The Governor’s Council on Recording the Truth of Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS.” Operation PARRIS is a federal investigation into Minnesota refugee fraud that was initiated in January.
“Minnesotans demand and deserve a public record that reflects the violent, cruel, inhumane, and deeply disturbing actions of federal immigration agents, and the dignity of our response,” wrote Walz in last month’s executive order.
Walz, who has repeatedly criticized immigration officers, Operation Metro Surge, and the Trump Administration, said the record produced by this new council “can help serve as a step towards our state’s long-term recovery.”
In turn, the governor created a 15-member council that will document “the Truth” about federal immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota. That council is required to deliver a final report on its findings by the end of the year.
Thirteen of the council’s 15 members, along with the chair of the council, will be appointed by the governor himself. The other two members of the council will be a representative from the Advocates for Human Rights (AHR) and a representative from the ACLU.
According to the executive order, Minnesota “entered into an agreement” with AHR, an indication that the group is being paid for its work on the council. The executive order notes that AHR will “collect stories” and “prepare for public presentations.”
Alpha News contacted the Walz Administration to inquire about the agreement with AHR but did not hear back prior to publication. The governor’s office was also asked additional questions for this story but did not immediately respond.
Notably, the council “will not engage in reporting around the shootings of Renee Good, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, or Alex Pretti. Instead, the Council will refer potential violations of law to entities responsible for investigating and enforcing such violations.”
On the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website, the council is referred to as the “Minnesota Truth Council.”
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
