Grave Warning Over "Operation Metro Surge" and Erosion of Civil Liberties
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota. January, 2026.
Utah Citizens’ Counsel Issues Grave Warning Over "Operation Metro Surge" and Erosion of Civil Liberties
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH — As an organization dedicated to improving public policy, the Utah Citizens’ Counsel (UCC) today joins in the profound concern regarding the escalating federal enforcement actions in Minnesota under "Operation Metro Surge".
The documented reports of lethal violence, constitutional overreach, and the targeting of vulnerable communities represent a fundamental breakdown in the rule of law and the American system of checks and balances. These actions have transformed the Twin Cities into a landscape of profound fear, fundamentally altering the relationship between communities and the essential public institutions they rely on.
A Crisis of Human Rights and Constitutional Law – The UCC highlights several critical areas of concern within the surge:
Lethal Violence against U.S. Citizens: The fatal shootings of civilians, including 37-year-old mother Renée Nicole Good and ICU nurse Alex Pretti, mark a tragic escalation of force.
Constitutional Violations and Overreach: "Suspicionless" stops and warrantless arrests, often targeting Somali and Latino citizens, have effectively suspended Fourth Amendment protections. Furthermore, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s lawsuit against the Federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS} asserts that this surge is an unconstitutional "invasion" that violates the Tenth Amendment and usurps state power.
Violation of Sanctuary: Reports of federal agents entering medical exam rooms without warrants at facilities like Hennepin County Medical Center have created a public health emergency, leading to life-threatening healthcare avoidance among naturalized and lawfully present residents.
Targeting of Indigenous Communities: Native American citizens have been subjected to systemic racial profiling and detention based solely on appearance, in direct violation of sovereign tribal treaties.
A National Warning The UCC stands with those demanding transparency and the protection of civil rights. The "reckless cruelty" witnessed in the Twin Cities is a national warning about the fragility of our constitutional protections putting every resident of this nation at risk. We urge a return to accountability and the immediate cessation of tactics that prioritize militarized enforcement over human rights and state sovereignty.
About the Utah Citizens’ Counsel: The Utah Citizens’ Counsel is a non-partisan group of senior community advocates committed to analyzing and improving public policy for the benefit of all Utahns.
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