Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara issued a public advisory on December 2, 2025, urging residents—particularly the Somali community—to call 911 immediately if they witness masked individuals detaining migrants. He emphasized the dangers of impersonation following recent state tragedies involving fake officers, assuring the public that the department will respond swiftly to protect civil rights and ensure public safety.

The warning comes as ICE prepares operations targeting undocumented Somali immigrants in the Twin Cities, part of a nationwide immigration enforcement initiative under President Trump’s administration following a federal investigation into widespread welfare fraud within the community. Chief O’Hara stressed that obstruction of lawful enforcement could result in criminal penalties, including prison, and urged residents to rely on official channels to report any suspicious activity. "We will immediately respond to it," O’Hara said, highlighting the department’s commitment to rapid intervention and civil rights protection. His statements aim to prevent incidents of vigilante obstruction or confusion, particularly given the heightened tensions surrounding ongoing immigration enforcement and federal fraud investigations.

Local leaders, including Mayor Jacob Frey, have raised concerns over due process, but the Minneapolis Police Department maintains that its role is to safeguard the public, ensure law enforcement legitimacy, and respond to potential threats arising from impersonators or unauthorized interference during federal operations.

The announcement reflects a coordinated effort to balance immigration enforcement with public safety, ensuring that lawful operations are conducted without jeopardizing residents’ rights or allowing fraudulent activity to continue unchecked.