When federal agents killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, activists organized the largest nationwide economic disruption since the 1940s—targeting congressional budget votes to defund ICE
On Jan. 30, 2026, organizers called for a National Shutdown asking Americans to skip work, school, and shopping to protest ICE enforcement. Events took place in 47 states plus Washington, D.C., with over 300 locations hosting protests at federal buildings, courthouses, universities, and city halls.
Essential concepts and terms to understand this topic
Jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Cities that limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration agents to protect residents from ICE enforcement.
Government monitoring of individuals' social media accounts and posts for enforcement purposes.
Organizers
Four University of Minnesota student groups originated the coalition, which grew to include 500+ endorsing organizations. They built nationalshutdown.org to coordinate actions across 47 states, using decentralized organizing to avoid reliance on union structures and Taft-Hartley restrictions.
Victim, 37-year-old Minneapolis resident
ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot Good on Jan. 7, 2026. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Good tried to run over the agent, but video analysis showed her vehicle was turning away. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the federal narrative 'bullshit.' Governor Walz proclaimed Jan. 9 'Renee Good Day.'
Victim, 37-year-old ICU nurse at Minneapolis VA hospital
Border Patrol agents shot Pretti on Jan. 24 while he filmed law enforcement and checked on a protester who had been pushed down. His family stated he was not holding a gun when shot. Two agents were placed on administrative leave. His death two days after the Jan. 23 strike intensified demands for the National Shutdown.
DHS Secretary
Ordered Operation Metro Surge, deploying 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota. Defended both shootings, calling Good a 'domestic terrorist.' Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) introduced articles of impeachment against Noem on Jan. 15, which gained over 120 Democratic cosponsors by late Jan..
Chief U.S. District Judge, Minnesota
The Bush-appointed judge found ICE violated at least 96 court orders in Jan. 2026 alone. He wrote: 'ICE is not a law unto itself.' He threatened to hold ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons in contempt before an immigrant was released from custody in Texas.
Actor (The Last of Us, The Mandalorian)
The Chilean-American actor shared strike graphics on Instagram with #iceoutforgood and #alexpretti hashtags, reaching millions of followers. His post called for holding the administration accountable for Pretti and Good's deaths.
Tell your representatives how to vote on ICE funding in the upcoming appropriations bill
civic action
The National Shutdown specifically targeted upcoming congressional budget votes. Tell your representatives how you want them to vote on ICE funding in the next appropriations bill. The Jan. 30 government shutdown deadline made this leverage point particularly powerful.
Research Operation Metro Surge court rulings
learning more
Judge Patrick Schiltz documented 96 court order violations by ICE in Jan. 2026 alone. Court documents reveal how federal agencies operated during the Minnesota deployment and the legal challenges states can bring against federal overreach.
Track state attorney general actions
understanding
A coalition of 20 state attorneys general filed an amicus brief supporting Minnesota's lawsuit against DHS. Monitor your state attorney general's position on federal immigration enforcement and how states can use legal tools to check federal overreach.
Compare historical general strike tactics
understanding
The 2026 Minnesota strike was the first action of its scale since 1946. Compare to the 1919 Seattle general strike and 1946 Oakland strike to understand how economic disruption functions as political protest—and why organizers avoided formal union backing to work around the Taft-Hartley Act.