260127-2300z

by ▪
on January 29, 2026

MAGNET S2 INTELLIGENCE REPORT

Subject: Minneapolis-Area ICE Watch / Rapid-Response Networks
Purpose: Create awareness of NGOs that cause disruption within American Communities
DTG: 260127-2300z
Geographic Focus: Minneapolis–Saint Paul Metro

Sources: Multiple source reporting from Local, National, and International platforms. See detailed list of sources at the bottom of this report..

SUMMARY:

Multiple grassroots “ICE Watch” and rapid-response networks operate across the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area to monitor, document, and publicize ICE enforcement activity in order to warn neighbors and support immigrant communities.

While typically framed as nonviolent observation, their activation can lead to rapid crowd formation, localized business disruption, public-order tension, and reputational pressure on nearby businesses during enforcement actions or coordinated protests. Impacts are event-driven and vary by location, timing, and enforcement intensity.

BACKGROUND:

Civil unrest in Minneapolis erupted in January 2026 amid a prolonged federal immigration crackdown by ICE and DHS agents, sparking protests over raids to capture and deport illegal immigrants.

SITUATION:

Below is a short list of some of the ICE Watch / rapid-response organizations which have been active in theMinneapolis-area. These networks use decentralized volunteers and real-time alerts to provide neighborhood awareness and legal observation. Its debatable if ICE Watch are truly/solely community based as funding sources seem to indicate sponsorship, possibly State sponsored.

1) Defend the 612 (D612)

Mission / TTPs: D612 describes itself as a Minneapolis/Twin Cities “community defense” network focused on “ICE Watch” and rapid response, framing its purpose as protecting neighbors from “abductions and state terror” and pushing for “ICE OUT” of the community.
How it operates (publicly described): D612 promotes decentralized neighborhood rapid-response groups and “block-level ICE Watch,” and has run fundraising around visibility/supplies (e.g., vests).
Funding sources (publicly observable):

  • Direct fundraising/large-donor outreach via its donation page and email contact.
  • Fiscal sponsorship claims: Multiple public documents and databases discuss Cooperation Cannon River (CCR) (EIN 82-0852275) in connection with D612; however, the clearest “D612 is fiscally sponsored by CCR” statement I found is in a complaint/advocacy document urging IRS review—i.e., an allegation, not an official determination.

2) MIRAC – Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (and MIRAC Education Fund)

Mission / TTPs: MIRAC describes itself as an all-volunteer immigrant-rights mass-movement organization seeking legalization, an end to raids/deportations, and related policy goals.
Local rapid-response role (documented): A Twin Cities “Documenting and Responding to ICE” resource lists MIRAC as a place to send documentation and references MIRAC as part of local response infrastructure.
Funding sources:

  • MIRAC Education Fund fundraising indicates it is a 501(c)(3) vehicle for tax-deductible donations.

3) MONARCA Rapid Response (linked to Unidos MN)

Mission / TTPs: A Minnesota renter-advocacy resource describes Monarca as organizing community members to monitor ICE activity, provide legal observers, and offer know-your-rights support.
Local rapid-response role (documented): The Twin Cities ICE documentation resource lists a “MONARCA Rapid Response Line” as a local reporting channel.
Funding sources:

  • Monarca is described in reporting as connected to Unidos MN (a nonprofit).
  • Unidos MN finances: ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer provides Unidos MN’s IRS filing access and summary financials by year (useful for funding composition at the org level).

4) COPAL (Comunidades Organizando El Poder y La Acción Latina)

Mission / TTPs: The Twin Cities ICE documentation resource lists a COPAL helpline for “confirmed sightings or information on impacted families,” indicating a direct rapid-response intake function.
Funding sources:

  • COPAL’s ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer summaries show revenue overwhelmingly from contributions (i.e., donations/grants) in the years captured by the database.

COMMENTS/ASSESSMENT

Additional S2 reports will follow detailing each ICE Watch and rapid-response groups individually. Each report will outline stated purpose, organizational structure, funding context, and assessed public-safety and business impact.

For additional info, refer to https://magnethf.com/250907-0030z/.

Business and public-safety impact assessment (Twin Cities context)

Observed/credible impacts

  • Business disruption risk (Medium to High during peak events): Large-scale protest actions (including an “economic blackout” described as involving many participants and business closures) indicate a credible potential for short-notice closures, reduced foot traffic, staffing interruptions, and localized access issues around marches or enforcement activity.
  • Misinformation / mistaken-identity risk (Medium): Reporting on “rapid responders” tracking ICE vehicles emphasizes community identification of vehicles and real-time alerts; any such environment carries risk of misidentification that can affect unrelated drivers/businesses (e.g., complaints or harassment aimed at the wrong vehicle).
  • Public-order and safety risk (Low to Medium, variable by location/time): Coverage characterizes many efforts as “nonviolent constitutional observation,” but the overall environment is described as highly tense, with crowds, enforcement operations, and the potential for confrontation.

Threat to “the local public taking businesses into account” (structured view)

This is a risk-of-impact lens (not an accusation of criminal conduct):

  • Threat to customer/staff physical safety: Low–Medium (depends on protest density, enforcement activity nearby, and crowd management).
  • Threat to business continuity (open hours, access, supply, staffing): Medium–High during coordinated actions/major enforcement surges; otherwise Low–Medium.
  • Threat to property (vandalism/damage): Low–Medium as a precautionary planning category unless your locality has specific incident history.
  • Threat to reputation/brand positioning: Medium—public pressure and polarization can create reputational risk for businesses seen as aligned with either side, especially during boycotts/blackouts.
  • Stay away from involved areas
  • If you must venture into these areas, do not go alone
  • If you live in the vicinity of these areas, conspire with neighbors to keep watch for migrating involvement
  • If you need help contact MAGNET S2 via any of the SitRep forms

SOURCE LIST

National & Regional Rapid Response / ICE Watch Infrastructure

Minneapolis / Minnesota–Specific

Communication Tools & Community Monitoring

Organizational Funding & Financial Context

General Background / Conceptual

ICEminneapolisrapid response
Civil UnrestMAGNET Operator ReportsNationalNational Intel BulletinPolitics

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