House Democrats Told Not to Travel to Minnesota Amid Anti-ICE Protests

House Democratic leadership has privately advised members against traveling to Minnesota this week to show solidarity with anti-ICE protests, according to an internal email from a senior staffer for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The email stated that after discussions with Minnesota delegation offices and the governor’s team, it became clear that the most appropriate action for members was to support their colleagues by participating in local Days of Action within their home districts this week. It noted that visiting Minnesota at this time would place undue strain on local resources and fail to adequately support state and local officials, law enforcement personnel, and residents of Minneapolis.

Minnesota elected officials have also cautioned lawmakers against traveling to the state, expressing concerns that such visits could overwhelm emergency services. The advisory comes as protests in Minneapolis and other cities continue to intensify following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent earlier this month and the recent killing of nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents—a sequence of events that have drawn national attention and intensified demands for accountability.

Some Democratic lawmakers have already visited Minnesota to engage with protesters and local officials, but leadership’s guidance reflects a strategic decision to encourage support through localized efforts rather than in-person travel to the state.