Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration's aggressive anti-immigrant operation across the Minneapolis–St. Paul region in Minnesota, brutalized members of the local community, including lawful refugees, immigrants, and American citizens alike. At this year's Refugees International Advocacy Awards, we presented the McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award to Mayor Jacob Frey, whose courageous leadership protected refugees and community members in the face of ICE and CBP's assaults across Minneapolis. In this episode, we hear from Mayor Frey about the city's legacy of welcoming refugees and immigrants, what it was like living through Operation Metro Surge, and the power of community action and local emergency response. Timed Takeaways: [02:36] The social fabric of the city of Minneapolis and the integral role of refugees and migrants [07:44] On the ground during Operation Metro Surge [14:32] Mounting a local response: municipal tools, mutual aid groups, and the power of a welcoming community [22:25] The obstacles to engaging the Trump administration and the wrongful detention of U.S. citizens [29:33] Accountability for ICE and CBP abuses [31:49] Honoring the contributions of refugees and migrants in Minneapolis and the harms of scapegoating immigrant communities [36:00] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week Mentioned in This Episode: <a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/05/05/nx-s1-5801473/minneapolis-immigrants-grapple-with-economic-impact-of-operation-metro-surge"> Minneapolis grapples with the impact of Trump's largest immigration crackdown yet</a> - NPR <a href="https://www.refugeesinternational.org/statements-and-news/refugees-international-celebrates-frontline-leadership-at-2026-advocacy-awards/"> Refugees International Celebrates Frontline Leadership at 2026 Advocacy Awards, Honoring Mayor Jacob Frey and Palestinian Healthcare Workers in Gaza</a> - Refugees International <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6R9RsIhaqWD4Z2J5oK4vs7?si=a790c7c11e60479c"> The Team Meticiously Tracking ICE Deportations to Third Countries</a> - This Week on ICE <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7GYdFwBzv5vQYBkTVrtA9b">This Week on ICE Podcast</a> - Spotify <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/01/the-neighbors-defending-minnesota-from-ice/685769/"> Minnesota Proved MAGA Wrong</a> - The Atlantic <a href="https://www.refugeeadvocacylab.org/resources/strong-majority-of-us-likely-voters-support-refugee-resettlement"> Strong Majority of U.S. Voters Support Refugee Resettlement as Administration Plans to Slash Program by Nearly 95 Percent</a> - Refugee Advocacy Lab <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/02/11/state-violence-and-community-resistance-in-minnesota"> State Violence and Community Resistance in Minnesota</a> - Human Rights Watch <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2026/05/18/ice-a

"They're everything it means to be American": Protecting Refugees in Minneapolis with Major Jacob Frey

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